Rainy Day, Broadway c. 1890

Charles Frederick William Mielatz’s etching captures a rainy day on Broadway. See how the artist plays with symbols of modernity, like electric lights and horse-drawn carriages, as well as the less prominent dome in the background. The dome is a particularly potent symbol. Historically, the dome has signified power, divinity, and authority—think of the Pantheon in Rome or the Florence Cathedral, symbols that resonate in the collective memory. Here, in the distance, the dome overpowers the modern achievements and is a reminder of the eternal in the fleeting modernity of Broadway. Rain, though not unique, reminds us of the natural world prevailing in this urban landscape. It serves as a humbling reminder that even the mightiest achievements are constantly subjected to nature's enduring influence. This is an essential commentary on the transient nature of human endeavor, as the dome stands immutable, and human achievements get washed away by the rain.