Water Towers 1941

Bernard Brussel-Smith created "Water Towers" using pencil on paper. The scene captures the urban landscape, dominated by water towers looming over a building with “Cross & Brown Company” painted on its brick facade. Brussel-Smith was a white male artist who was known for his wood engravings and illustrations, many of which depicted the city. His work touches on themes of industrialization, class, and the changing face of the American city. His choice to focus on the oft-ignored water towers, essential for the city’s function, invites us to consider the labor and infrastructure that support urban life. The architectural landscape here is barren, despite the presence of the industrial building. The artist shows the water towers as silent witnesses to the daily grind, standing tall amidst progress and change. As you contemplate this drawing, consider the unsung structures that shape our cities and the historical narratives embedded in our urban landscape.