Eight Bridges and A Curved Incline c. 1935

Curator: This striking print is titled "Eight Bridges and a Curved Incline" and was created by Louise Boyer around 1935. It combines drawing, etching, and other mixed-media techniques. My immediate reaction is one of dramatic density; so much is happening within this small space. What catches your eye? Editor: That tightly packed feeling is definitely there. I’m drawn to the network of bridges; they dominate the skyline. They almost feel like interconnected pathways to a promised land. The smoke billowing around them certainly evokes a sense of transformative power, though perhaps tinged with something a little ominous. Curator: You've picked up on something important. The image depicts Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, during its industrial heyday. The bridges symbolize connectivity, certainly, but also the city’s role in trade and industry. What looks like smoke might be understood as pollution, which underscores the social costs of industrial progress. The bridges loom like giants, while the dwellings of the people look almost superimposed in the setting, overwhelmed by industry. Editor: That industrial cloud certainly darkens the mood and provides a compelling counterpoint to what might otherwise be seen simply as progress. I see the houses, though. It feels as if they are huddled for protection against that threatening landscape, like fragile homes clinging to their spaces. Perhaps, they hold the real symbolism, rather than just the bridges alone. Curator: Interesting idea. The architecture in these districts does carry the weight of the period, of communities carved out within a rapidly changing environment. I can't help but see parallels with the works of Social Realists. However, it feels a little more personal and nuanced than pure political commentary. What stands out for you about the etching technique employed here? Editor: The use of etching, mixed with other methods, adds another layer. Look at those sharp, unforgiving lines against the softer shaded parts of the scene: these contrast add to the image’s overall drama. It reinforces that tension between nature, homes and industry we observed. It leaves me pondering how we find beauty even in the presence of significant adversity. Curator: A beautifully evocative note to end on.