Brooklyn Bridge From Brooklyn 1933

Herman Meyer made this etching, ‘Brooklyn Bridge From Brooklyn,’ in 1933. Here, the iconic bridge is depicted with the up-and-coming Manhattan skyline in the background. Made in the United States, this print demonstrates how the cultural idea of progress and technology can be interpreted through visual codes. The angular forms of the buildings, combined with the industrial might of the bridge, signifies modernity. The etching technique lends the image a documentary feel, fitting with the American art scene at the time that focused on realism. Looking at work like Meyer’s, an art historian would need to research the artist's personal history and institutional affiliations. What galleries showed his work? Did he participate in government-sponsored art programs? What was the critical reaction to his art? Answering these questions will help us better understand the meaning and significance of this compelling image.