Jefferson Market (New York City) 1931

This is Aaron Bohrod's print of the Jefferson Market in New York City. The image depicts the landmark Jefferson Market Courthouse, looming over the elevated train tracks and the bustling street life below. Bohrod seems to be reflecting on the urban experience. This print probably dates from the 1930s or 40s, a period when many American artists were turning their attention to urban and industrial landscapes. The courthouse, with its gothic revival architecture, stands as a symbol of civic authority and tradition, while the elevated train represents the modern, rapidly changing city. The contrast suggests the tensions between old and new, order and chaos, that defined the American urban experience in the early 20th century. Historical archives would be important resources for understanding this print. Research into the social and economic conditions of New York City during this time, particularly in the Greenwich Village neighborhood where the Jefferson Market is located, can help us understand the cultural meanings of the artwork.