Cathedral of St. John the Divine 1929

Walter Tittle created this etching titled "Cathedral of St. John the Divine." During Tittle's time, there was a growing fascination with urban development and architectural marvels. Yet, this cathedral was never actually completed. The image captures the cathedral under construction, a scene marked by scaffolding and incomplete structures. This work prompts us to consider the ambition and the incomplete realities of human endeavors. The figures in the foreground appear small against the backdrop of the cathedral, perhaps mirroring our own insignificance when we face large institutions. The cathedral, intended as a symbol of spiritual aspiration, is presented as a work in progress, inviting reflection on the tension between the ideal and the real, the sacred and the secular. The artist’s choice to depict the building in this state generates a feeling of anticipation.