Hansom Cabs, New York 

John Marin made this drawing of Hansom Cabs in New York with graphite on paper. The quick, light strokes give the impression of a fleeting moment, capturing the horse-drawn carriages that were once a common sight in the city. The material itself, graphite, allows for a sense of immediacy. The artist’s hand is evident in the varying pressure and density of the lines, creating depth and texture despite the limited tonal range. Notice the ways in which Marin has suggested the weight and form of the horses and carriages with just a few marks. This drawing, while seemingly simple, speaks to the changing landscape of early 20th-century urban life. The Hansom cabs, symbols of a bygone era, are rendered with a sense of nostalgia, their delicate lines hinting at the labor and social context of a pre-industrial mode of transport. Marin's choice of such a humble material elevates the everyday, reminding us of the value in observing the ordinary.