Plate 119 from The Plan of Chicago, 1909: Chicago. Sketch Plan of the Intersection of Michigan Avenue and Twelfth Street 1907

Daniel Burnham's 1909 sketch, crafted in pencil on paper, presents an aerial view of Chicago's urban plan, specifically the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Twelfth Street. The composition, dominated by intersecting lines and geometric forms, reveals a structured vision of city planning. Burnham’s sketch uses architectural precision to illustrate the "City Beautiful" movement, aiming to impose order and aesthetic harmony on urban spaces. The repeated motifs of classical facades, formal gardens and symmetrical arrangements, demonstrate a semiotic system where each element signifies civic virtue and social stability. The emphasis on broad boulevards and grand axes reflects the belief that urban design could shape human behavior, instilling a sense of order and progress. The drawing thus becomes not just a plan but an ideological statement, reflecting the era's faith in rationality and the power of design to improve society. The plan invites us to consider how urban spaces are constructed and how they influence our lives.