River Drive c. 1935 - 1943

Bernard Joseph Steffen's "River Drive" (c. 1935-1943) is a striking depiction of an urban landscape. The print, rendered in a muted palette of gray, black, and brown, features a towering industrial building with a billowing smokestack. The structure is partially obscured by a large cloud of smoke, a symbolic representation of industrialization's impact on the city's environment. In the foreground, a road curves away from the viewer, leading into the distance. The composition is framed by a distinct oval shape, emphasizing the urban scene and creating a sense of enclosure. Steffen's work captures the essence of American industrial cities in the mid-20th century, highlighting the contrast between nature and urban development.