The Tomato Pickers c. 1938

Harry Brodsky made this lithograph titled ‘The Tomato Pickers’ sometime in the middle of the 20th century. It portrays agricultural labourers crowded together on the back of a truck. The workers, distinguished by their hats, appear weary, their faces etched with a sense of resignation. The drab and muted colors convey a feeling of hard work and struggle, highlighting the often-overlooked plight of these laborers. The artist likely made this image to draw attention to the social inequalities inherent in the American agricultural system. The image also speaks to an artistic interest in the representation of labor and the working class, influenced by the socialist and progressive movements of the time. To fully grasp the social implications of this artwork, we might look to sources from the period, such as government documents and reports, newspaper articles, and the writings of social critics. This print reminds us of the ways art can give visibility to those on the margins of society.