Independence Square and the State House 1912

Joseph Pennell's print captures Independence Square and the State House, dominated by the steeple. This architectural spire, piercing the sky, has roots stretching back to ancient obelisks and Romanesque bell towers, all aiming to connect the earthly with the divine. Consider the Tower of Babel, a primal symbol of humanity's ambition to reach the heavens, often resulting in chaos and humbling lessons. Here, the steeple symbolizes aspiration and order, yet it’s framed by nature's chaotic embrace. This juxtaposition echoes the psychological tension between our desire for control and the uncontrollable forces around us. Pennell subtly reminds us that even in the most organized societies, the wild, untamed aspects of life persist. The steeple, like a collective aspiration, has been repurposed and reimagined, its form a visual echo across time and cultures.