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Eighteen framed map drawings in colored ink and pastel show a city's transformation through time. It is a fantasized city that exists in another civilization or on another planet. Each map represents the changes that have taken place in a hundred years. The first map represents the city in the year one, the last shows the city in the year 1700.
Areas of water (rivers, streams, lakes etc.) are pastel and the color symbolizes, in an intuitive way, the conditions and history of the city in each drawing. The colored inks represent uses or states of areas of the city. In other words, one color represents industry, another government, another residential, and so forth. A legend describing the meaning of each ink color is part of the map.
The maps of great detail were drawn over a 10 year period from 1975 to 1985. Each map measures 41 inches high and 32 inches wide. They are matted, under UV glass with a 1 1/4 inch dark wood frame. Each map is accompanied by a separate miniature map with a written description pointing out notable changes that have occurred in the city throughout the century. These companion pieces are matted, under glass and also framed. They were created in 2008.
MAP DRAWINGS
Ink and Pastel Framed Drawings of Maps Covering Eighteen Centuries
The Art of Cartography that Represents a Mythical City Through Time
Year one shows a pristine unsettled area with fresh water rivers flowing through it.
The yellow pastel color is chosen to represent water in a clean and untouched environment .
A natural harbor is formed by a large river (lower left), a smaller river (at the top) and five flowing streams.
There is a small settlement that exists on an island.
THE YEAR
1
The settlement has grown with a walled fortress protecting it from land and sea attacks.
The beige color of the water represents a more active but pristine state.
THE YEAR 100
The settlement has become a town with planned streets and public squares. A wall that encloses it also has a main gate that leads to a highway.
As time passes the town grows beyond the wall into haphazard suburbs.
The orange-yellow color of the water represents the increase of commerce and trade.
THE YEAR
200
Political changes elsewhere lead to the creation of a new city that becomes the capital of a great state.
Administrative, religious and public buildings are built on broad plains and drained land on a larger island near the old walled town.
There are two major roadways that enter this island. A great increase of population occurs with the old town continuing as the hub of business and services.
The ruddy color of the water symbolizes the governmental and business activities of the cities.
THE YEAR 300
A century of prosperity is reflected in this expanded city that now encompasses both sides of the great bay.
Its design is controlled by an autocratic centralized government. This is the capital of a great state.
Great commercial, cultural and industrial activity is indicated by the reddish color of the water.
THE YEAR 500
The city is invaded and becomes the capital of large empire ruled by an alien people. They bring with them a different religion and now the city is a center for two opposing beliefs.
A new city of the invaders is built up the river from the old.
The old falls into disrepair and large areas are forsaken. The population dwindles.
Below, near the old harbor, a remnant of the old city becomes a center of resistance to the new regime.
The gray colored water implies the depopulation and despair of the people. .
THE YEAR 700
Indolence on the part of the new rulers fosters an intermingling of the native inhabitants and foreign invaders. Prosperity is generated due to the increase of trade among this diverse population.
An early form of mechanized transportation brings goods from the harbor to the central markets.
Pleasure canals are built near the estates of the ruling elite while the city below governs independently and is a seedbed of unrest against the state government.
THE YEAR 800
A revolution has swept away the empire and the city of the rulers above is in ruins.
The great religious complex built by the rulers is saved because one third of the population belongs to this faith of the rulers.
The center of the old city has shifted to the left of the harbor and is now a center of finance and trade.
The city below is also fueled by investment capital and industry.
The old walls are used as a source of building materials.
The water, a light green, is an image of new life.
THE YEAR 900
There are seven independent cities, most driven by trade and industry dominated by a small number of wealthy families.
Mechanized transportation connects harbors, warehouses and factories with city centers.
There is a large population draw and many workers live in makeshift housing on the outskirts.
The gold water reflects the burgeoning economy.
THE YEAR 1000
There's a great surge of population to the city as it is a center of the arts, religion, finance, industry and manufacturing.
The city is the capital of a federalized state.
Ground transportation also connects the city as well as water with other parts of the state and continent.
Depots are situated near the center for people and goods.
Waterways are a burning reddish color which typifies the advancing industry and the growing polution.
THE YEAR 1100
The city has become a metropolis.
The middle class has swelled although there are large areas of poverty.
There is elaborate ground transportation both private and public and also air transportation with terminals toward the outer areas of the city (upper right).
Excavations of the ancient 3rd and 5th century cities are undertaken.
There is extensive landfill around the harbor and the water is a murky brown-red.
THE YEAR 1200
THE YEAR 1300
Following political turmoil, the city is again greatly reduced in population and it now becomes the capital of a much smaller state.
It remains an artistic and educational center as well as a headquarters for many businesses.
Most of the left side of the river was destroyed in the years of turmoil and a great climate control bubble encircles the remaining city.
Self-contained satellite cities also encircle the central city.
The water area is gray-gold.
THE YEAR 1400
THE YEAR 1500
The city became the capital of a small totalitarian state.
Another city, unrecognized by the government, actually exists above the capital. It is a city of poverty, few services and social unrest.
The water is left to run it's natural course, is of no use to this militaristic state and reflects the stolid gray of this society.
THE YEAR 1600
The city of the past was obliterated early in the century and a new small city is founded on a long abandoned plain.
It has a small population due to swift travel and instant communication.
The color of the water is yellow indicating a fresh present and a hopeful future.
THE YEAR 1700
Expansion of the city early in the century gives way to a retrenchment as well as the constructing of massive walls and fortifications built to protect it from invasions.
The city becomes the refuge of the wealthy and poor as the political state collapses.
The gold orange color of the water expresses the concentrated wealth of the city that is stored behind its protective walls.
THE YEAR 600
The old and new cities merge with roads and bridges as the population continues to swell. Industrial areas begin to line the natural harbor.
The city is laid out in an efficient but controlled design emanating from the seat of power of this capital.
Different classes of people arise.
The purple color of the water conveys the city's developement toward autocracy.
THE YEAR 400
Although there is extensive ground transportation, most travel and transport is by air and large depots exist throughout the city. The central depot is built on an artificial island in the old harbor.
Water transport is obsolete and only pleasure mariners remain.
The city is a cultural, religious, business and governmental center.
The population has decreased as travel and communication are very quick thus reducing the need to reside nearby.
Water area has decreased even more due to land fill. The water is a neutral gray, cleaned and controlled.
The course of the smaller river was changed in a war and the city is no longer a capital and business is declining.
The city is a mecca of art, religion , history and study.
Rigorous excavation has revealed much of the past including a tenth century city that has been rebuilt.
The climate bubble is gone and climate control is worldwide.
Waterways (in pink) are reverting to a natural state but some are still maintained in their historic channels.
LEN GERWICK PAINTINGS
The artist Leonard Gerwick has used his skills in a most profound way, since the mid 1960's. Besides being a career puppeteer, he has pursued painting seriously and continues to show and sell his art throughout New England and Massachusetts. Any one who enjoys his creations can buy his paintings at the studio located in Marlborough, Massachusetts.
The customer is able to buy these paintings directly from the studio, or through email and telephone conversations. Lenny believes it is important to interact with a customer in a personal way and is willing to show his work at any time a request is made.
MAP DRAWINGS OF THE LOST CITY
Drawings made in highly focused detail is a particular skill that Lenny possesses. He has shown this ability in the very specialized body of work known as The Lost City.
This is an arrangement of eighteen maps of an imagined city where each map shows the growth or destruction for each century that it exists. The map creation currently covers eighteen hundred years and is quite fascinating to see the story unfold on paper. This group of maps must be sold as one body of work in order to state its meaning.
City Map Drawings in Ink and Pastel to Buy for SALE New England, MA NH VT CT RI NY NJ
Group of 36 Map Drawings
$50,000.00
Arrangements can be made to exhibit this series of map drawings. Please note that these 36 pieces are also for sale for the amount of $50,000.00 .