Holland Tunnel c. 1930

Anne Steele Marsh made this print of the Holland Tunnel with a graphic and immediate approach. The stark contrast in the print emphasizes the strong lines and creates a bold visual statement. I’m fascinated by the way Marsh uses line to create depth and texture. The cross-hatching and dense, parallel lines give a sense of movement and energy. It’s not just a static image; you can almost feel the cars moving through the tunnel. Notice the way the light is suggested by the absence of lines, creating an almost eerie glow. The contrast between the lit areas and the dark, dense areas is especially striking. It reminds me a little of the graphic style of artists like Lynd Ward, who used woodcuts to tell stories with a similar sense of drama and intensity. Marsh's print captures the feeling of modernity and the excitement of the machine age. It’s a piece that invites you to think about how we experience space and movement.