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Woolworth Building New York (recto)

1917
(American, born Germany, 1881–1971)
America, 20th century
watercolor, framing lines in graphite
Image: 35.7 x 28.8 cm (14 1/16 x 11 5/16 in.); Sheet: 43.6 x 34.9 cm (17 3/16 x 13 3/4 in.)
Gift of Ann Baumann 2005.468.a
© Ann Baumann Trust
Location: not on view
This artwork is known to be under copyright.

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Description

The Woolworth Building, designed by architect Cass Gilbert, rose 792 feet, making it the tallest building in the world between 1913 and 1930, when the Empire State Building assumed the honor. The Woolworth Building won widespread acclaim for its pioneering steel-frame structure and stunning appearance. Baumann depicts the glistening white skyscraper, a symbol of America’s prosperity, ingenuity, and optimism, illuminated by bright sunshine against a clear blue sky. The graphite framing lines indicate how the scene would be cropped to emphasize the building when translated into a color woodcut, but the print was never made.
Woolworth Building New York (recto)

Woolworth Building New York (recto)

1917

Gustave Baumann

(American, born Germany, 1881–1971)
America, 20th century

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