Siren on the Sea-Drama at Noon

Gerald Geerlings

About this series the artist commented: "The view of lower Manhattan from the sea has for 200 years or more delighted, allured and enchanted immigrants, foreign visitors, returning citizens from abroad and homecoming service men and women. The skyline has never been static. It varies from year to year, from sunrise to midnight, from rain to cloudless skies. Of all the great cities of the world situated on the seas, it is unique, without equal in its moods, its variations, its significance to each individual. Observed from the Staten Island Ferry the interplay of effects from moment to moment as it varies in color, in form, in its relation to the sea, and in its impression it makes on the viewer."

Gerald Geerlings was a printmaker, architect and author born in Wisconsin in 1897. Having served both world wars, Geerlings returned to printmaking with emphasis and expertise in architecture and cityscape, which became Geerlings' predominant interests. He brought an exquisite quality of draftsmanship and a sense of composition to his work.

Geerlings did this lithograph of New York, with the twin towers, in 1983. He then hand colored each impression with pastel to reflect different times of day, weather conditions, etc. 40 unique images, monoprints, that we were not allowed to show after 9-11, 2001. Time has passed and hopefully, once again, we can reflect on this image for what it really is, an artwork, starring New York.