Create

“Divine Nature gave the fields, human art built the cities.”

~Marcus Terentius Varro

SoHo, New York City ~ 2012

SoHo, New York City ~ 1765

Lispenard’s Meadows (drawing by A. Anderson 1765)

This entry was posted on March 21, 2012 by Robyn Lee. It was filed under Winter 2012 and was tagged with Arts, build, cobblestone roads, creation, creativity, fields, human, Marcus Terentius Varro, nature, New York City, restoration, SoHo.

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12 responses

williamricci

We are given an empty field, a canvas, and we choose what we will paint here.

March 22, 2012 at 7:03 AM

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- throughthehealinglens
  
  So true William…interesting what motivates man to create that painting. Gives me pause…
  
  March 22, 2012 at 9:30 AM
  
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Linda

amazing

March 22, 2012 at 7:04 AM

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- throughthehealinglens
  
  Glad you liked it Linda! Had a medical day in Soho Monday and while Scott was getting the car, I thought might be a good opportunity to capture a city scene to mix in with all my nature ones. Wild to think that SoHo was wide open fields and farms at one time!
  
  March 22, 2012 at 9:32 AM
  
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victoriaaphotography

How wonderful to find the sketch to compare.

My preference is for the rural sketch (despite my living in the inner city).

March 22, 2012 at 7:53 AM

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- throughthehealinglens
  
  Thanks Victoria. Yes — was not sure I’d use my city shot as have mostly stayed in the realm of nature so far, but when I began doing research on the history of this historic district of NYC, I could not help but become fascinated to think of the transformation process from country to cityscape. Anderson’s rendition drawing really had an impact – so I decided to branch out a bit here and go for it. I agree, for me the rural environment is more appealing – but city living has its perks too!! 🙂
  
  March 22, 2012 at 9:35 AM
  
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Jeannie

what a comparison! I’ve never been a city girl…so I do prefer the nature scene best too 🙂

March 22, 2012 at 11:06 AM

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throughthehealinglens

Thanks Jeannie… I know – incredible to contemplate the transformation (and a whole lot went on in between those 2 time periods). It’s a very lovely part of NYC, but I agree – give me the fields and sea and I’m happy! 🙂

March 22, 2012 at 11:16 AM

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merylspiegel

Yes, nature is an empty canvas, but has the light changed from then until now?
Could it have been even more vibrant?

March 22, 2012 at 10:14 PM

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throughthehealinglens

Makes one wonder… was the light brighter, was the air cleaner, was the food fresher etc. ? 🙂

March 23, 2012 at 12:00 AM

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Ivy

Such a cool comparision. The building in the right background looks so interesting and golden in the light. I love contemplating NYC’s history, especially its agrarian beginnings. You might enjoy a novel I recently finished that traces the history (geographical included) of NYC through a handful of generations of several familes: http://www.amazon.com/New-York-Novel-Edward-Rutherfurd/dp/0385521383

March 24, 2012 at 5:05 PM

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Robyn

Ivy, am so glad you liked the image. I too was attracted to the gold-toned building in the back…loved the detailed trim, especially the green around the windows. Also the sunlight’s effect. After visiting SoHo for a physical therapy consult, I had to do some research on the history as only knew as far back as the 70s when it was rehabilitated as an artists’ haven. Thank you for this link to the novel… may have to look into ordering it. Will check out the link! Appreciate your comment – come back to visit soon!

March 25, 2012 at 11:35 PM

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