A Farmers Plea for Rain

Prayer for Rain

1938

James E. Allen

Born: Louisiana, Missouri 1894

Died: Larchmont, New York 1964

image: 10 1/2 x 14 1/8 in. (26.5 x 35.9 cm)

Smithsonian American Art Museum

As I place myself in the shoes of those in the painting in my own heart I begin to feel those same feelings of fear, frustration, sadness, and defeat. I believe the artist was trying to portray these feelings first through the more practical observations of dark skies, black and white picture, the bones of the animal, and the level of the dust. In a deeper sense, I believe the artist portrayed these feelings through the knees that hit the dust and the pleas of a family that must have been solemnly pronounced to their God. 

I see in the painting the social statement regarding farming and spirituality. In the paintings world of dark colors and gloom we see a family who relied on farming as a way of living and life, turn to the last source of hope that they could find. How does this relate to today’s society? Although we don't face a drought or major dust bowl, we have our own "major dust bowl" or faith shattering trials that drive us to our knees in hopes for a bettertomorrow. For example, family farms having to shut their doors do to major industrial mass producing farms. 

Through the artist’s eyes we see an array of emotions and a source of strength that farmers have relied on for generations, and will continue to have to rely on to come. This artist’s rendition of a perilous time in farming history shows me that although these farmers and farms may have suffered, we can see their legacy and life live on today in the farming industry. 

In conclusion, this paintings depth goes far beyond what we can see. It allows us to feel for this farming family, the challenges that they faced, and the despair that they encountered day in and day out. Although there may not be a dust bowl right now, I feel that it helps me see personally the struggles that lay so far beyond the surface that farmers experience every day. They continue to fight and push on, and trust that God will deliver and bless them for a better tomorrow. 

Allen, James E. Prayer for Rain. 1938, Lithograph, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington D.C.