Flood

Edgar Imler|WPA

1935–43 · Linocut · Drawings and Prints

Born and raised in St. Clairsville, Pennsylvania, Imler might have referenced the 1936 flooding of Johnstown in his home state through this wood engraving. Following heavy rain and melting snow in March that year, a deluge devastated the whole town and left hundreds of residents homeless. In this print, the artist depicted one family rushing out of a flooded house, focusing on their effort to escape the water as it engulfs their property. Through a window, a woman hands a little child to another woman, who precariously floats on a piece of driftwood along with the rest of the family.

Artist

Edgar Imler|WPA

Date

1935–43

Medium

Linocut

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Gift of the Work Projects Administration, New York, 1943