Can I use a photograph in a thesis or dissertation?

Question

Hi, I'm Brazilian and I'm supposed to hand in a final version of my thesis on Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath" in three weeks. The problem is that I describe a photograph taken by Arthur Rothstein in 1936 ("Fleeing the Dust Storm") in the first chapter of my thesis, and I would like to use it to illustrate my work. What should I do in this case? Should I ask for a permission to use this photograph? I'll only use it for academic purposes. The printed copies will be available at the library of the university (a Brazilian university), and there will be a copy of it on the library website too.

Important information: Rothstein died in 1985 and his photograph is now at the Library of Congress. I don't know if his family has the rights to the photo. The photo is available on some websites.

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If I can use the photograph, what kind of information do I have to include according to the MLA format?

Answer 1

It has been 100 years, and is now public domain, meaning you CAN use it. I have no idea how to cite it or include it though.