Fort Point, S. F. 1940

This is Harold Mallette Dean’s wood engraving of Fort Point in San Francisco. The Golden Gate Bridge looms large, and the landscape is filled with the contrast of black and white. The bridge, an emblem of modernity, engineering prowess, is itself a potent symbol. We find similar structures across history— Roman aqueducts or medieval bridges, each representing a triumph over nature. But here, the bridge strikes a chord within our collective memory. It becomes a symbol of progress, yet the jagged rocks and turbulent waters remind us of nature's untamed force. Consider how bridges in dreams often symbolize transitions and connections between different states of being. Dean's bridge, with its imposing presence, evokes a sense of awe and perhaps even a touch of anxiety. It represents not only physical passage but also the psychological crossing from one era to another. The bridge has become a potent symbol, echoing across time.