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Eugene Smith, Tomoko Uemura in Her Bath, 1971, Part of the Minamata Series 1971-1975

 After the second world war, The Chissa Group built a factory by the fishing port. 7 years later this leaked mercury into the waters, polluting the fish. This affected the future generation of people who ate the fish, or had contact with the water. This later became known as the Minamata Disease a disease of the nervous system.

 Eugene, being popular in Japan at the time was asked by the Victims defense committee to document the early stages of the disease becoming known, and the economical effects. The collection tells a story through the development of the crisis. It not only shows the physical effects, but reflects on the economical and emotional side to the pollution.

 This was one of the most famous images from the series of a mother and child in the bath. The image shows the clearly disfigured child, and mother caring for her in the bath. There is a simple setting and minimal surroundings This allows the viewer to focus on the relationship an connection between the two subjects, and the social and cultural issues surrounding them. The dramatic lighting works with the minimal setting to highlight the pair and the emotional effects of the events. The lighting firstly draws our attention to the connection between the two, then secondly brings subtle attention to the disfigurement.

 The positioning of the two shows the mother holding her child almost like a new born, even though the child is considerably older, and the eldest of 6 siblings. This cradling action instantly shows the unconditional love for the child, combined with her gaze looking straight into the childs eyes. The child however resembles that of a lifeless body, the eyes are rolled back and the body is in need of support from the mother.

This image came to mind when thinking about the idea of the childs body being lifeless, yet the mother positioned in a way that shows unconditional love. The same position is shown with Mary cradling her dead son Jesus. The position can be read universally within different cultures.