Near Pasadena 

Frank Tolles Chamberlin made this etching titled "Near Pasadena." The bridge in the background emerges as a potent symbol. It is a constructed passage over what would otherwise divide, connecting different realms. One may think of the Roman's construction of bridges and aqueducts, which symbolized their control over nature and their ability to connect disparate parts of their empire. Throughout history, bridges appear in dreams and myths as symbolic passageways between life and death, or the conscious and the subconscious. The bridge’s appearance here evokes this symbolic weight, suggesting not just a physical crossing but also a psychological and emotional transition. Like a recurring motif in a grand cultural narrative, the image of the bridge embodies a continuous thread of human aspiration, connecting us to both our past and our future. It's a constant reminder of our innate desire to overcome divisions.