Lewis Wickes Hine

ITALIAN MADONNA

1905

This photograph is called the “Italian Madonna.” Discuss Hine’s possible intentions for the photograph in terms of subject and composition. Where else have you seen similar imagery? How can you tell what the child and mother are feeling from their expressions? Was this a Lewis Hine candid, or a posed picture, or some of each? How can you tell? Does it matter whether the picture was posed?