Tower Bridge c. 19th century

Bertha Evelyn Jaques made this etching titled 'Tower Bridge' using brown ink on paper. Jaques was an American printmaker deeply involved in the Chicago art scene during a time when women artists were gaining more recognition, yet still faced significant gendered challenges. In this piece, we see a somewhat softened, picturesque view of London's Tower Bridge, captured with the delicate lines of the etching. The barges in the foreground give a sense of the working river, a vital component of London's economy and identity. Jaques was fascinated by the architecture of Europe and the scenes of daily life that unfolded around the city, and this piece is from a series of European etchings. Rather than the grandeur of the imposing bridge, her focus lies on the quiet industry of the river. It invites us to reflect on the intersection of labor, landscape, and personal experience.