In the Christian Petersen Art Collection, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
Date
c. 1938
Material
Painted plaster
Dimensions
21 3/4 x 7 x 13 in. (55.2 x 17.8 x 33 cm)
Description
Seated nude woman holding child.
Markings
n/a
Provenance / Location
Mary Petersen; CPAC, Gift of Class of 1919. UM85.49
Alternate Title(s)
n/a
Notes / Sources
Des Moines Tribune, Nov. 26, 1942; Wallace's Farmer, Col 68, Issue 1, 1943; Appears in The Desert Magazine, 1946 alongside a poem "Drought" by J.C. Cunningham; Olson, Gwen (1954) "Aesthetic Fingertips," The Iowa Homemaker: Vol. 34 : No. 7 , Article 3.
Inspired by the sculpture of the same name, this poem entitled "Drought" was written by J.C. Cunningham, a personal friend of Christian Petersen. J.C. and his family experienced many hardships in his boyhood because of drought and loss of crops. It was very difficult to express the hopeless watching for a cloud with the strength of restrained lines. It was two years before J.C. was satisfied -- if a poet is ever satisfied with his lines. This sculpture represents the devastating effects of the extreme floods and droughts that ravaged the Tennessee Valley in the 1930s and the fragility of human life. The mother is malnourished, and without any sustenance she is unable to feed her child. Her vacant expression has given up hope of life and a future.
Drought by J.C. Cunningham
The brave child Hope Lies starving on the mother's knees. Her shrunken breasts have failed When empty skies Mocked back the cry for rain. Both day and night The cattle moan For drink and parceled forks of hay. High poised and ugly buzzards circle slow To drop like plummets when some beast Staggering falls to rise no more. The dried up corn breaks from its roots The burning winds suck added heat From pastures dry as parchment from a desert tomb.
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