Reality Makes Them Dream: American photography from 1929 to 1941 – in pictures

An expansive exhibition at the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University showcases work that inspired the imagination during a time of great turmoil. Named after a line uttered by the Stanford biology professor Laurence Bass-Becking to describe the photography of friend Edward Weston, Reality Makes Them Dream is on show until 30 July

Main image: Paul Strand – White Horse, Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico, 1932. Photograph: Cantor Arts Center Collection, Gift from the Alinder Collection

  • Marion Post Wolcott (American, 1910–1990)

    One of the Wilkins family making biscuits for dinner on cornshucking day at Mrs Fred Wilkins’ home near Tallyho, Granville county, North Carolina, 1939
    Marion Post Wolcott (American, 1910–1990), One of the Wilkins family making biscuits for dinner on cornshucking day at Mrs. Fred Wilkins’ home near Tallyho, Granville County. North Carolina, 1939

  • Peter Stackpole (American, 1913–1997)

    Stackpole was one of Life’s first staff photographers and stayed with the publication until 1960. This image is of a mother and daughter in 1934
    Peter Stackpole, American, 1913–1997 - Mother and Daughter 1934

  • Wright Morris (American, 1910–1998)

    Morris was seen as a pioneer of “photo-texts” in the 1940s which paired his images with his writing. He focused less on people and more on objects. This image is of the Gano Grain Elevator in western Kansas, 1940. [Caption amended 5/11/2023 to correct errors in supplied information]
    Wright Morris (American, 1910–1998)Wright focused on assembling images of Black life for the Farm Security Administration before writing writing 12 Million Black Voices. The book ended with the following: ‘The seasons of the plantation no longer dictate the lives of many of us; hundreds of thousands of us are moving into the sphere of conscious history’. This image is of the Gano Grain Elevator in Western Kansas, 1940

  • Peter Stackpole (American, 1913–1997)

    In 1935, 25 of Stackpole’s bridge photographs were shown at the San Francisco Museum of Art. This image is titled Overview of the City, 1935
    Peter Stackpole (American, 1913–1997) Overview of the City 1935

  • Berenice Abbott (American, 1898– 1991)

    Abbott started a series of photographs based in New York City and included this shot of the Sumner Healy Antique Shop in 1936. The owner of the store died not long after the picture was taken and it closed down two years later
    Berenice Abbott (American, 1898– 1991)Abbott started a series of photographs based in New York City and included this shot of the Sumner Healy Antique Shop in 1936. The owner of the store died not long after the picture was taken and it closed down two years later.

  • Dorothea Lange (American, 1895– 1965)

    Lange was also hired by the FSA to take pictures during the Great Depression. She came across Florence Owens Thompson and her children. ‘I saw and approached the hungry and desperate mother, as if drawn by a magnet. I do not remember how I explained my presence or my camera to her, but I do remember she asked me no questions.’ This image is called Migrant Mother and was taken in California in 1936
    Dorothea Lange (American, 1895– 1965)Lange was also hired by the FSA to take pictures during the Great Depression. She came across Florence Owens Thompson and her children. “I saw and approached the hungry and desperate mother, as if drawn by a magnet. I do not remember how I explained my presence or my camera to her, but I do remember she asked me no questions”. This image is called Migrant Mother and was taken in California in 1936

  • Paul Strand (American, 1890–1976)

    Strand was seen as one of the early pioneers of American modernist photography and he started the socially conscious Photo League cooperative in New York in 1936. This image is called White Horse in Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico, 1932
    Paul Strand (American, 1890–1976) Strand was seen as one of the early pioneers of American modernist photography and he started the socially conscious Photo League cooperative in New York in 1936. This image is called White Horse in Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico in 1932

  • Robert Disraeli (American, born in Germany, 1905-1988)

    Disraeli immigrated to the US in 1913 and was part of a news agency at the age of 20. He then became best known as a documentary photographer. This image is known as Sunday – After Church from 1933
    Robert Disraeli (American, born in Germany, 1905-1988)Disraeli immigrated to the US in 1913 and was part of a news agency at the age of 20. He then became best known as a documentary photographer. This image is known as Sunday — After Church from 1933

  • Berenice Abbott (American, 1898–1991)

    Another of Abbott’s striking photos of New York shows a Brooklyn street, helping to show the area’s move toward modernity. It is known as Warehouse, Water and Dock Streets from 1936
    Berenice Abbott (American, 1898–1991) Another of Abbott’s striking photos of New York shows a Brooklyn street, helping to show the area’s move toward modernity. It is known as Warehouse, Water and Dock Streets from 1936

  • Marion Post Wolcott (American, 1910–1990)

    Wolcott was another FSA photographer who documented wealth inequity and race relations during the period. ‘As an FSA documentary photographer, I was committed to changing the attitudes of people by familiarizing America with the plight of the underprivileged, especially in rural America,’ she said. This image is known as Center of town, Woodstock, Vermont, ‘Snowy Night’ from 1940
    Marion Post Wolcott (American, 1910–1990)Wolcott was another FSA photographer who documented wealth inequity and race relations during the period. “As an FSA documentary photographer, I was committed to changing the attitudes of people by familiarizing America with the plight of the underprivileged, especially in rural America,” she said. This image is known as Center of town. Woodstock, Vermont, “Snowy Night” from 1940
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