Approach to the Bridge, No. 2 1931

John Marin created this etching, Approach to the Bridge, No. 2, in 1931, capturing the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. The bridge emerges as a dominant symbol, representing connection, transition, and technological progress. Consider the arch, a motif rooted in antiquity, often seen in Roman aqueducts and Gothic cathedrals, symbolizing both structural support and spiritual aspiration. Here, Marin presents the arches of the Brooklyn Bridge, echoing these historical forms yet conveying the dynamism of modern industrial architecture. The bridge’s cables, rendered with sharp, energetic lines, speak to a raw, almost primal energy. The bridge, with its soaring towers, evokes a sense of aspiration, a reaching towards the heavens much like the ziggurats of ancient Mesopotamia. The bridge also serves as a potent symbol of collective memory and subconscious desires—the yearning to overcome obstacles, to connect disparate realms, and to push the boundaries of human achievement. It stands as a testament to our enduring quest for progress, a quest that is constantly evolving, yet forever tethered to the symbols and archetypes of our shared past.