North Bridge, Edinburgh 1904

James McBey etched this view of the North Bridge in Edinburgh using lines that capture the city's atmospheric density. The bridge itself, an enduring architectural form, acts as both a physical and symbolic connector. Bridges are not merely crossings; they are potent symbols of transition and connection, seen across cultures from the Roman Empire's aqueducts to the spiritual "bridge" in religious iconography, such as the Rainbow Bridge connecting Earth to the divine. The North Bridge, with its imposing arches, suggests both passage and the weight of history, linking Edinburgh's past and present. Notice how the image appears to dissolve into the sky; the bridge is heavy against the backdrop of shifting weather. This interplay captures a primal fear of mortality and the eternal search for stability in a world of constant change. It's an enduring motif, echoing through time, reminding us of our transient existence.