Untitled IV 

Henry Lyman Saÿen created this untitled drawing at a time of rapid industrial expansion and social change. Saÿen, who was born in Philadelphia, spent much of his career in Europe, particularly in Paris, and his work reflects a blend of American subject matter with European modernist styles. This drawing captures a construction site, alive with labor and the raw energy of building. The scene evokes the era's optimism and also acknowledges the human element within modernization. The workers are depicted with respect, their postures and actions rendered with careful attention, which suggests Saÿen’s awareness of their role in shaping the world. The high-contrast, sketch-like style echoes the visual language of the Ashcan School, which often depicted urban life and the working class. Saÿen’s work invites us to consider the layers of identity involved in the transformation of landscapes and societies. His vantage point as an artist allows us to reflect on how labor, progress, and individual experience are intertwined.