Rome, the Bridge of Sant'Angelo 

John O'Connor captured Rome's Bridge of Sant'Angelo in oil on canvas, creating a cityscape dominated by warm hues and a sense of tranquil monumentality. The composition is structured around the horizontal expanse of the Tiber River, bisected by the symmetrical arches of the bridge, leading the eye towards the imposing forms of the Castel Sant'Angelo and St. Peter's Basilica. O'Connor employs a limited palette, where earth tones and muted yellows prevail. The textures vary from the smooth reflections on the water to the rougher surfaces of the ancient buildings, articulated through subtle brushwork. This contrast in texture enlivens the visual field, while the repetition of rounded forms - the arches, the dome, the cylindrical castle - creates a cohesive visual rhythm. The painting invites a reading that sees in its formal elements a dialogue between temporal and spiritual power. The solidity of the architecture contrasts with the fluidity of the river, suggesting themes of permanence and change, authority and freedom. The formal structures within the artwork thus resonate with larger cultural narratives.