Street Scene 

John Marin's "Street Scene," a sketch of graphite on paper, captures a fleeting moment. The buildings lean and sway, embodying a dynamic tension. The image presents a series of houses, each drawn with quick, fragmented lines, which reminds one of the transient nature of urban life. Look at the way the houses seem to converge on the street, a motif we see echoed through the ages. Think of medieval cityscapes where buildings symbolized both protection and confinement. But here, there's a sense of instability, as if the scene is about to dissolve. The architectural forms, though familiar, suggest an emotional response, a collective anxiety perhaps rooted in the early 20th century's rapid modernization. The buildings almost seem to breathe, to be in motion, a reminder of the ever-changing urban landscape.