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Murals of New York City: The Best of New York's Public Paintings from Bemelmans to Parrish
If all of the murals of New York City were under one roof, it would be the greatest collection of populist art in America. MURALS OF NEW YORK CITY is the first book to curate over thirty of the most important, influential, and impressive murals found within all five boroughs. The murals featured in this volume act as both an artistic and cultural guide to New York and its citizens over the past 100+ years--from the Victorian sensibilities of the 1900's, to the New Deal outlook of the WPA-commissioned artworks, to the graffiti-inflected art of Keith Haring and Barry McGee. The book enlightens readers with the lively back stories of those who commissioned and created these murals, and documents the works through extensive original photography that shows both the murals in context, and with details that highlight the artistic hand of the muralists.
From courthouses, to libraries, to schoolrooms, to classic hotel watering holes, MURALS OF NEW YORK CITY introduces readers to a wide range of cultural icons and artistic treasures. Full-color images of works by the world's most celebrated artists including Marc Chagall, Roy Lichtenstein, Maxfield Parrish, and more are accompanied by informative and historical commentary. MURALS OF NEW YORK CITY is perfect for art and architecture lovers and serves as a resource for New Yorkers, and a souvenir for the millions of tourists who visit the city every year. The book contains addresses and historical information on each mural, artist, and location, including the circumstances in which they were created, restored, and preserved.
From courthouses, to libraries, to schoolrooms, to classic hotel watering holes, MURALS OF NEW YORK CITY introduces readers to a wide range of cultural icons and artistic treasures. Full-color images of works by the world's most celebrated artists including Marc Chagall, Roy Lichtenstein, Maxfield Parrish, and more are accompanied by informative and historical commentary. MURALS OF NEW YORK CITY is perfect for art and architecture lovers and serves as a resource for New Yorkers, and a souvenir for the millions of tourists who visit the city every year. The book contains addresses and historical information on each mural, artist, and location, including the circumstances in which they were created, restored, and preserved.
- GenresArtHistoryNonfiction
228 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2013
55 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 28, 2013
Why did it take so long to publish this book. I had no idea there were so many amazing murals in NYC. An amazing work of art with excellent accompanying background details.
April 15, 2021
Absolutely stunning. Such a pleasure to hold, to view, to taste, to devour.
The photos are stunning, as are the subjects themselves. The size is as large as I can decently hold, so it gives details that would be lost in a smaller format. The text is informative without being sentimental or too technical. Wonderful anecdotes about the painters, and those who commissioned the works, and the stories about the paintings themselves. The Maxfield Parrish mural featured on the cover, and the ceiling of Grand Central Station, (which, in my opinion, is better than the Sistine Chapel's) are two of my favorite stories.
This is what libraries really have on offer: 'coffee-table books that we (most of us) can neither afford to purchase, nor have room to store. I can't tell you how much I loved my library before the pandemic, and that feeling has at least tripled. To be able to travel through books in this way while I'm in quarantine is priceless. I've discovered more books in the online catalog, and am able to pick them up from a table, and return them safely, and not just be wandering through the physical building, pulling books off the shelves at random.
I entered New York City as a search, and this book popped up. I grabbed it for my mother, and then brought it to my home when she was done with it. We used to go to the city for plays, food, and just general gawping at tall buildings. I've been to the Metropolitan Museum, and the Metropolitan Opera house complex, but never to most of the buildings with the magnificent artwork on display in this book.
I honestly could go on and on about the Golden Age of architecture and murals from a hundred or more years ago, and all the money that was spent on honoring the gods of commerce, but, no. i'm going back to enjoy more of my favorites before I have to return it to my friends, the librarians.
The photos are stunning, as are the subjects themselves. The size is as large as I can decently hold, so it gives details that would be lost in a smaller format. The text is informative without being sentimental or too technical. Wonderful anecdotes about the painters, and those who commissioned the works, and the stories about the paintings themselves. The Maxfield Parrish mural featured on the cover, and the ceiling of Grand Central Station, (which, in my opinion, is better than the Sistine Chapel's) are two of my favorite stories.
This is what libraries really have on offer: 'coffee-table books that we (most of us) can neither afford to purchase, nor have room to store. I can't tell you how much I loved my library before the pandemic, and that feeling has at least tripled. To be able to travel through books in this way while I'm in quarantine is priceless. I've discovered more books in the online catalog, and am able to pick them up from a table, and return them safely, and not just be wandering through the physical building, pulling books off the shelves at random.
I entered New York City as a search, and this book popped up. I grabbed it for my mother, and then brought it to my home when she was done with it. We used to go to the city for plays, food, and just general gawping at tall buildings. I've been to the Metropolitan Museum, and the Metropolitan Opera house complex, but never to most of the buildings with the magnificent artwork on display in this book.
I honestly could go on and on about the Golden Age of architecture and murals from a hundred or more years ago, and all the money that was spent on honoring the gods of commerce, but, no. i'm going back to enjoy more of my favorites before I have to return it to my friends, the librarians.
September 6, 2020
You're here for the photos and the photos are great. It's surreal seeing towering works devoted to the nobility of the proletariat overseeing a Hudson News stand or empty lobbies. The photos do a great job of silently contrasting the scale of the art with their surroundings; sometimes majestic, sometimes quotidian.
The text often feels squeezed in between and unclear about its purpose. Sometimes it will include anecdotes about the artist but neglect to describe how they were connected to the mural featured. Sometimes it will be two pages of name dropping famous New Yorkers and how they're being alluded to. None of the texts describe how to see the art that is featured. They may provide an address, but not all the locations are equally public. Additionally, it feels odd that this would be reissued in 2020 without updating the facts (restaurants that are now closed, different US presidents). It feels like the first edition was copied wholesale without being checked due to some other minor grammatical or factual errors.
While the book describes itself as celebrating all the boroughs, this is mostly a celebration of mid-20th century art in Manhattan. And its target audience is people inclined to celebrate that. I'm appreciative that the Des Moines Public Library got this text, but it doesn't feel like I'm the intended reader. I might have enjoyed it more if I were content to just slowly flip through the photos and leave it at that.
The text often feels squeezed in between and unclear about its purpose. Sometimes it will include anecdotes about the artist but neglect to describe how they were connected to the mural featured. Sometimes it will be two pages of name dropping famous New Yorkers and how they're being alluded to. None of the texts describe how to see the art that is featured. They may provide an address, but not all the locations are equally public. Additionally, it feels odd that this would be reissued in 2020 without updating the facts (restaurants that are now closed, different US presidents). It feels like the first edition was copied wholesale without being checked due to some other minor grammatical or factual errors.
While the book describes itself as celebrating all the boroughs, this is mostly a celebration of mid-20th century art in Manhattan. And its target audience is people inclined to celebrate that. I'm appreciative that the Des Moines Public Library got this text, but it doesn't feel like I'm the intended reader. I might have enjoyed it more if I were content to just slowly flip through the photos and leave it at that.
September 3, 2020
A book I am proud to have on my coffee table! This immediately caught my eye in the West Bund Museum gallery store and is a must-have for every New York City lover. And once your awareness is raised there -- you cannot unsee it; I started noticing murals in Sex and the City scenes and will appreciate them more in cathedrals. Looking forward to visiting Bemelmans Bar with my friend when I move there with Alex within the next 10 years.
August 29, 2017
Incredibly, this is the first published catalogue of NYC's diverse, iconic murals, centrepieces of restaurants, hotels, and civic institutions. The best hail from the form's Golden Era, sweeping socialist statements subsidized by the WPA, though some of the modern contributions equally awe. Breezy historical context accompanies the reverent photography.
February 4, 2021
Some editing issues but nice pix and good commentary. Very interesting. I'd like to see all in person but don't think that's possible.
April 13, 2021
My only complaint, the book needs to be larger! 😆
Great photos and info. I just want an elephant sized version.
Great photos and info. I just want an elephant sized version.
December 4, 2015
Wow! This is a book about the hidden treasures that fill the buildings of New York. Most were created during the first half of the 20th. Century, these murals, can be found in hotels, clubs, court houses, a hospital, a certain Music Hall and entire outside of a building.
Step back in time to when art did not mean, spots, urine, dung, but creations that take your breath and heart away for the moment.
Find this book and enjoy.
Step back in time to when art did not mean, spots, urine, dung, but creations that take your breath and heart away for the moment.
Find this book and enjoy.
March 13, 2014
Oh the places to go!
May 16, 2015
Wonderful book! I especially loved the colorful photos and insightful descriptions!
June 3, 2014
A gorgeous book, full of fascinating detail and excellent phographs.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews