The Island c. 1928

Margaret Lowengrund made this etching, The Island, and, wow, it’s like a city rising out of the sea. I can almost feel Lowengrund leaning over the plate, scratching away to conjure this vision of New York. Look at the smokestacks, the angular buildings pressing up against each other. I imagine she's thinking about the city's energy, it's relentless forward march and how she can communicate this feeling. I love how the lines create a sense of depth, pulling you into the urban landscape. There's a conversation happening here with other artists who tried to capture the essence of modern life – the Ashcan School painters, maybe some of the Precisionists too. It makes me want to grab my own tools and join the conversation. Ultimately, it's about how we see and interpret the world, and Lowengrund offers us a compelling perspective, and a chance to reflect on our place within it.