Hansel Mieth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hansel Mieth
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Hansel Mieth, 1936,
by Peter Stackpole |
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| Born |
Johanna Mieth
April 9, 1909 Berglen, Germany
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| Died | February 14, 1998 (aged 88) Santa Rosa, California, United States
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| Nationality | German-American |
| Known for | Photography |
| Spouse(s) |
Otto Hagel
(m. 1940) |
Hansel Mieth (born in 1909, died in 1998) was a talented photographer from Germany. She worked for a famous magazine called LIFE. Hansel was known for taking pictures that showed how everyday Americans lived, especially during the 1930s and 1940s. Her photos often highlighted the lives of working people.
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Hansel Mieth's Early Life and Photography
Hansel Mieth was born Johanna Mieth in Oppelsbohm, Germany. She came from a very strict family. When she was 15, she left home and worked in a factory.
In 1930, she moved to the United States. She joined her friend and fellow photographer, Otto Hagel.
Life During the Great Depression
When Hansel and Otto arrived in the U.S., it was the time of the Great Depression. This was a period when many people lost their jobs and homes. They worked as farm laborers, moving from place to place.
During this tough time, they bought a used camera. They started taking pictures of the difficult lives around them. They photographed people working hard and those who had no homes. They also captured images of worker strikes.
Joining LIFE Magazine
In 1937, Hansel Mieth joined the staff of LIFE Magazine. She was only the second woman photographer to work there. In 1940, she and Otto got married. They moved to New York.
Otto was still a German citizen. To avoid being held in a special camp during World War II, they moved to a ranch in California. Hansel continued to take photos for LIFE Magazine.
Photographing Japanese Americans
During World War II, Hansel took pictures of Japanese Americans. These people were forced to leave their homes. They were moved to special camps by the U.S. government. Hansel's photos showed their experiences.
Challenges and Later Life
In the early 1950s, Hansel and Otto faced a difficult time. They refused to answer questions from a government committee. This committee wanted them to name friends who were involved in worker movements. Because they refused, Hansel lost her job at LIFE. They were also unofficially "blacklisted," meaning it was hard for them to find work.
They retired to their ranch in California. There, they raised animals. Hansel also started painting. She passed away in Santa Rosa, California, in 1998.
About Hansel Mieth's Work
Hansel Mieth's life and work were featured in a documentary film. It was called Hansel Mieth: Vagabond Photographer. This film was shown on PBS in 2003.
You can find all of Hansel Mieth's photographs and work at the Center for Creative Photography. This center is located at the University of Arizona in Tucson. They also manage the rights to her amazing photos.
