Iron (?) Hill c. 1940

Rita Albers created this etching, depicting a street scene, in the middle of the 20th century. Observe the motif of the precarious dwelling, common throughout urban landscapes in times of rapid change. These structures, stacked and huddled together, remind us of the Tower of Babel, symbolizing ambition and the potential for collapse. Look at how the artist renders these buildings: not as solid, safe havens, but as fragile and exposed. Like stage sets, the dwellings’ interiors are revealed to the viewer. Recall the architectural fantasies of Piranesi, where buildings intertwine with human life, blurring the lines between private and public spaces. Here, Albers uses a similar approach, inviting us to consider the psychological weight of our environments. This echoes the anxieties felt during urbanization, revealing a collective subconscious fear of instability. The image persists, reminding us that the interplay between our inner lives and the architecture around us is an eternal cycle.