At the beginning of the 20th century, photos were captured and developed using chemical and physical reactions. This beautiful mix of science and creativity elevated photography to an art form long before it was widely regarded as such. The results of this artistic process are photographs that have a deep connection to not only the photographer and subject, but the environment.

In 1936, while working for the Farm Security Administration, Dorothea Lange took one of the most recognizable photographs in American history. “Migrant Mother” captures the essence of Depression-era America in the form of a 32-year old working mother of seven in Nipomo, CA. This image is one of the most striking examples of photography’s ability to capture emotion and tell a story.

Blackwing 344 celebrates the 80th anniversary of this historic photo and the artistic legacy Dorothea Lange left behind. The deep red barrel, red foil imprint, bright red ferrule and black eraser reflect what a Blackwing 602 pencil would look like in a darkroom. The model number references Library of Congress LOT 344, which contains a number of her photographs, including the iconic “Migrant Mother.”