Below Atlantic City 1881

Joseph Pennell created this etching, "Below Atlantic City," capturing a scene laden with symbolic weight. Consider the lighthouse, a beacon that pierces the obscurity, a symbol of guidance and revelation, harking back to ancient watchtowers that guarded civilizations. Yet, what does it guard here, in this modern landscape? Its light, a promise of safe passage, also suggests a deeper yearning for orientation in an increasingly complex world. Echoes of this motif reverberate through history, from the Tower of Babel, symbolizing humanity's ambition, to the watchful eyes in Renaissance portraiture, each bearing the burden of knowledge and foresight. Notice the emotional cadence—a blend of hope and melancholy—as the lighthouse stands against the vast, indifferent sea. It reminds us that, despite our grandest endeavors, we are but fragile beings navigating the currents of time and memory.