The Coming of Rain
Fine Arts Collection
U.S. General Services Administration
Running almost 1,900 miles from Colorado to the Gulf of Mexico, the Rio Grande River is among the most storied waterways in North America. The river forms the southwestern edge of Texas and marks the boundary between Mexico and the United States. Commissioned for the Ysleta Border Station in El Paso, John Valadez created The Coming of Rain, a large oil painting that portrays the river’s enduring influence on the region.
Although there are no figures included in the composition, evidence of human impact on the landscape permeates the scene. The painting depicts a farm on the edge of the river. In the foreground, an irrigation gate and traditional Tarhumara field plow allude to the transfer of knowledge between cultures that has made agriculture and settlement in the region possible.
The passage of time and tradition is implied by the abandoned adobe structure seen in the distance. An apparition of a horse-drawn wagon in the blustery sky above pushes themes of transformation and memory to mythical heights. Combining nostalgia, portent, and optimism, The Coming of Rain explores the ongoing influence of the past on the present and future.
