Young Russian Jewess, Ellis Island by Lewis Hine (1905)

The photograph titled “Young Russian Jewess, Ellis Island” was taken by the artist Lewis Hine in New York in 1905. It is a black-and-white portrait that captures the image of a young woman who has arrived at Ellis Island, the gateway for millions of immigrants seeking a new life in the United States.

In the picture, the subject appears to be a young woman with a solemn expression on her face. She is wearing a dark scarf or shawl over her head, which frames her face and falls over her shoulders. Her gaze is direct and somewhat intense, looking straight into the camera. The background is softly lit, featuring tall windows that provide a diffuse light that illuminates the scene. The ambience suggests an indoor space with high ceilings, characteristic of the infrastructure where immigrants were processed at Ellis Island. There is a quiet, contemplative quality to the image, reflecting a moment of transition and perhaps uncertainty in the life of the young woman.

Other Photographs from Lewis Hine

Scroll to Top