On Brooklyn Bridge to NYC 

John Marin’s sketch of the Brooklyn Bridge and New York City is captured with graphite on paper. The bridge, a symbol of connection and progress, looms large, while the city's skyline rises in jagged peaks. Observe how the bridge's catenary curves echo the arches found in ancient Roman aqueducts, a connection to past engineering marvels. This motif carries forward to the Gothic cathedrals of Europe, structures intended to inspire awe and spiritual uplift. Here, the bridge similarly symbolizes ambition and collective endeavor. Yet, consider how these lines and forms have evolved. The bridge, a modern icon, also embodies industrialization and a break from the natural world. It reflects the tensions between progress and the human spirit. The figure, small in relation to the bridge, reminds us of our complex, evolving relationship with the urban landscape.