Metropolis 1937

This is Julian Trevelyan's "Metropolis," a print made in 1987. Trevelyan presents us with a somewhat dystopian vision of the modern city. The abstract and somewhat chaotic lines give a sense of urban sprawl, devoid of human scale. Trevelyan made this print towards the end of the twentieth century, a time when rapid urban development was causing social changes across Europe. It's hard not to see echoes of earlier twentieth-century avant-garde movements like Futurism, which both celebrated and critiqued modernity. The city depicted is like a labyrinth – it invites the viewer to consider the alienation that is associated with modern urban life. Understanding this print requires us to consider not only art history but also social and cultural history. Further research into urban planning, social theory, and the artist's biography can help us to develop our understanding of "Metropolis" and its commentary on contemporary life.