New York From Ellis Island 1910

Joseph Pennell rendered this lithograph, New York From Ellis Island, capturing the dawn of a new world for so many immigrants. The city, shrouded in atmospheric haze, looms large—a potent symbol of hope and opportunity. Note how the skyscrapers, like modern-day cathedrals, reach towards the heavens, embodying the aspirations of those arriving on American shores. The ships in the harbor, bustling with activity, echo the ancient motif of the vessel as a carrier of souls, reminiscent of Egyptian funerary boats. They are also evocative of Charon's ferry across the River Styx in Greek mythology. Here, however, the journey is not to the underworld but to a promised land. The emotional weight of this scene is palpable; a mix of trepidation and exhilaration ingrained in our collective memory. This lithograph, born of ink and stone, becomes a mirror reflecting our enduring dreams of renewal and transformation.