Untitled (Interior of Subway Car) 1923

This etching by Max Arthur Cohn captures a moment on a subway car, a modern-day vessel ferrying souls, not across water, but through the urban depths. The artist presents us with a scene of quiet human interaction—or, perhaps, isolation—within the shared space of the train. Note the recurring motif of the hat. Throughout time hats appear in various contexts, signifying status, occupation, or identity. Here, the hats seem to act as barriers, subtly shielding their wearers, hinting at a desire for anonymity. The gesture of the woman holding her hat evokes a sense of self-awareness, drawing attention to her presence, as if to ask, "Who are we in this transient space?" Consider how this symbol echoes through art history. From the veiled figures in classical sculptures to the masked revelers in Venetian paintings, the hat both conceals and reveals, prompting us to delve deeper into the psyches of these urban travelers. It's a cycle of visibility and concealment, perpetually resurfacing in different guises across the ages.