Irish Country Life
In 1954 Lange persuaded Life magazine to send her to Ireland for a photo essay on Irish country life. She had conceived the idea after reading a book called The Irish Countryman by anthropologist Conrad M. Arensberg. Accompanied by her son Daniel, who was to provide text for the story, the pair spent six weeks observing and recording daily life in rural County Clare. The resulting photographs reveal an obvious (some would say romanticized) affection for the Irish people and countryside. After returning home, she corresponded with friends she made during the visit.
There is no sense of hurry, and there is no sense of want, or wanting, or urge to buy more and more. . . . A contented and relaxed people live on this island.
