The George Washington Bridge
Spanning the Hudson River between New Jersey and upper Manhattan, the George Washington Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in existence when completed in 1931. Bourke-White translates this vast structure into a condensed recession of upright suspension wires, diminishing into the distance and terminating in the bridge’s second tower. Framing the view within the soaring arc of the first tower, Bourke-White emphasizes the beauty of modern construction as much as its scale. Intended for an essay in Fortune magazine, the photograph is a testament not only to industrial building but also to the new alliances between business, media, and photography.
Artwork Details
- Title: The George Washington Bridge
- Artist: Margaret Bourke-White (American, Bronx, New York 1904–1971 Darien, Connecticut)
- Date: 1933
- Medium: Platinum print
- Dimensions: 33.3 x 23.4 cm (13 1/8 x 9 3/16 in.)
- Classification: Photographs
- Credit Line: Ford Motor Company Collection, Gift of Ford Motor Company and John C. Waddell, 1987
- Object Number: 1987.1100.339
- Curatorial Department: Photographs
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Margaret Bourke-White
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Margaret Bourke-White
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Margaret Bourke-White
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