Along the Delaware 1924

Franklin Townsend Morgan created this print of the Delaware, capturing the stillness and solitude of the harbor. Dominating the scene are the masts of the ships, reaching upwards like supplicating arms. The mast, a timeless symbol, has ancient roots as a potent emblem of aspiration, guidance, and connection between the earthly and the celestial realms. We might recall the ancient Egyptians who erected obelisks, mirroring these towering forms to honor the sun god Ra and to bridge the gap between heaven and earth. Similarly, consider the maypole, a tradition spanning from Germanic paganism to modern festivals, where the pole serves as a focal point for communal dance and celebration, embodying fertility and renewal. Here, Morgan’s masts resonate with this collective memory, evoking a profound sense of yearning and the human desire to reach beyond our immediate surroundings, a silent call resonating through time.