Charleston #2 1949

Victoria Hutson Huntley's lithograph, *Charleston #2,* captures a quiet street scene, dominated by the imposing staircase and illuminated by a gas lamp, symbols of order and civic pride. At the bottom of the stairs a figure sits holding a plant. Notice how the staircase, a universal motif, ascends like a Jacob's Ladder, a visual echo of mankind's aspiration towards enlightenment, a theme seen as early as ancient Egyptian art. In contrast to the aspiration of the stairs, the bird perched atop the building can be seen as a symbol of freedom, in opposition to the strict architectural lines of the iron railings. The lamp post and woman with flowers are a modern take on classical depictions of offering and enlightenment. This work evokes a sense of societal observation and reflection that resonates deeply within our collective memory. It invites us to contemplate the convergence of the old and the new, order and freedom, and the silent stories embedded within the stones of our shared spaces.