A Letter to the President 1939

"A Letter to the President," created in 1939 by Hannah S. Rile, is a powerful lithograph that captures the desperation of a young man seeking work during the Great Depression. The image depicts a pair of hands holding a letter addressed to the President, with the letter's plea for assistance clearly visible. Rile's use of stark contrasts and dramatic lighting emphasizes the urgency of the subject matter. "A Letter to the President" is a poignant reminder of the economic hardship faced by many during this period.