Where the West Begins (Chicago)

Gerald Geerlings

Milwaukee, Wisconsin born Gerald Geerlings did this etching of Chicago in 1932 as he was moving from lithography to etching, creating a series of dramatic, precise, architectural compositions of New York and Chicago. Done during the Great Depression Geerlings only did a total edition of 28 impressions from 7 states. There are 22 impressions included in various museums.

The first title for this work was "Chicago, Opera and News Building" and was based on a series of four drawings the artist did. The proofs were printed with the assistance of Charles Welch. Geerlings' precisely etched lines are often mistake for engraving.

Chicago, Illinoia was the beginning of Route 66 which traveled across the western states to Los Angeles, California and was the escape route used by many Americans to try to find a better life for themselves during the depression.