[High-Contrast Graphic Design Incorporating Repeated Image of Daily News Building]

ca. 1930

Not on view

Engineering developments in the 1880s enabled the construction of large, multistory buildings using steel frames to support non-load-bearing walls, which soon dominated urban skylines. One such edifice, the Daily News Building in Manhattan, provides the central motif for Rotan’s photocollage. Completed two years previously, the Art Deco building was already a well-known symbol of modernity, and Rotan uses its striped facade to set up a pattern of repeating black and white geometric forms. Rather than depicting the skyline from afar, Rotan’s photocollage plunges the viewer into the immersive architectural rhythm of the modern city.

Artwork Details

Title: [High-Contrast Graphic Design Incorporating Repeated Image of Daily News Building]
Artist: Thurman Rotan (American, 1903–1991)
Date: ca. 1930
Medium: Gelatin silver print From copy negative
Dimensions: 22.2 x 18.2 cm (8 3/4 x 7 3/16 in.)
Classification: Photographs
Credit Line: Ford Motor Company Collection, Gift of Ford Motor Company and John C. Waddell, 1987
Object Number: 1987.1100.136
Curatorial Department: Photographs

More Artwork

By Thurman Rotan

In the same medium

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Coney Island, Thurman Rotan American, Gelatin silver prints — Coney Island
Thurman Rotan
1926

N.Y. Worlds Fair 1939, Thurman Rotan American, Gelatin silver print — N.Y. Worlds Fair 1939
Thurman Rotan
1939

Skyscrapers, Thurman Rotan American, Gelatin silver print — Skyscrapers
Thurman Rotan
1932

Compass, Man Ray American, Gelatin silver print — Compass
Man Ray
1920

Rayograph, Man Ray American, Gelatin silver print — Rayograph
Man Ray
1923

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.