Flood

Publisher WPA

1937

Not on view

Kainen probably drew inspiration for this print from the floods that ravaged the northeastern United States in 1936. In the wake of severe flooding that March, cities like Hartford and Middletown lost electricity and telephone communication, and many inhabitants had to be rescued by boat. Since these areas neighbored the artist’s native Waterbury, it is most likely that Kainen witnessed the tragedy and felt compelled to illustrate it. The image shows the violently overflowing waters of a river carrying away parts of a city’s infrastructure, including utility poles and even entire rooftops, to which people hold tight to survive the catastrophic downpour.

Artwork Details

Title: Flood
Artist: Jacob Kainen (American, Waterbury, Connecticut 1909–2001)
Publisher: WPA
Date: 1937
Medium: Lithograph
Dimensions: Image: 10 3/4 in. × 14 in. (27.3 × 35.6 cm)
Sheet: 12 1/2 in. × 16 in. (31.8 × 40.6 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: Gift of New York City W. P. A., 1943
Object Number: 43.33.395
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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