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The Art of Rockefeller Center
Overview
From the beginning John D. Rockefeller incorporated art into his plans for Rockefeller Center in New York City, commissioning pieces meant to inspire the viewer with idealism, work ethics, and religion. Over one hundred major works embellish the twenty-two acre complex, making the center the world's largest indoor/outdoor urban museum. The artists include such noted figures as Gaston Lachaise, Lee Lowrie, Paul Manship, Carl Milles, Isamu Noguchi, Diego Rivera, and William Zorach. This book is the first comprehensive review of their work. Each chapter investigates a single building, illustrated with both historic and dramatic new photographs. Also included are explanations of the themes, myths, and allegories. The book provides a color-coded map of the buildings in the center and a biographical index of the contributing artists. The Art of Rockefeller Center is a treat for the art lover and anyone who has ever marveled at this great American icon.
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Details
- ISBN-13: 9780393060829
- ISBN-10: 0393060829
- Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
- Publish Date: October 2005
- Dimensions: 12.08 x 9.44 x 1.23 inches
- Shipping Weight: 4.46 pounds
- Page Count: 320
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Art decorated
In the heart of New York City stands iconic Rockefeller Center, a haven of commerce and industry, art, history—and ice skating. Center archivist and author Christine Roussel's gorgeous The Art of Rockefeller Center is an orderly catalogue of the Center's history, art and artists. This oversized volume is lavished with exquisite attention to detail; the book's design and typography, writing and photography are employed in shining homage to the artifice and artistry within and without the Center's venerable walls.
Rockefeller Center emerged during the Depression from the idealistic vision of John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Where there were once grimy tenements, the Center rose as a cohesive melding of art, architecture and American ideals. Before construction could begin, Rockefeller spent two years planning a "modern, self-contained urban center" that would be "a mecca for lovers of art." Together with an art advisory group (including his wife, Abby Aldrich, and son, Nelson), he identified art sites, standards, themes and artists, allocating $1 million to fund the enterprise in 1931. Artists commissioned included Gaston Lachaise, Lee Lawrie, Paul Manship and Diego Rivera (although his finished artwork, considered fascist, was destroyed).
Each chapter of The Art of Rockefeller Center explicates the history and art of a single building of the complex, interpreting its art deco and art moderne treasures in exceptionally lucid prose and pristine photography. Especially interesting are explanations of the artistic processes used in creating public art and stories of the artists. The book also includes many historic photos, an index of artists and a color-coded map of the Rockefeller Center for reference.
Art decorated
In the heart of New York City stands iconic Rockefeller Center, a haven of commerce and industry, art, history—and ice skating. Center archivist and author Christine Roussel's gorgeous The Art of Rockefeller Center is an orderly catalogue of the Center's history, art and artists. This oversized volume is lavished with exquisite attention to detail; the book's design and typography, writing and photography are employed in shining homage to the artifice and artistry within and without the Center's venerable walls.
Rockefeller Center emerged during the Depression from the idealistic vision of John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Where there were once grimy tenements, the Center rose as a cohesive melding of art, architecture and American ideals. Before construction could begin, Rockefeller spent two years planning a "modern, self-contained urban center" that would be "a mecca for lovers of art." Together with an art advisory group (including his wife, Abby Aldrich, and son, Nelson), he identified art sites, standards, themes and artists, allocating $1 million to fund the enterprise in 1931. Artists commissioned included Gaston Lachaise, Lee Lawrie, Paul Manship and Diego Rivera (although his finished artwork, considered fascist, was destroyed).
Each chapter of The Art of Rockefeller Center explicates the history and art of a single building of the complex, interpreting its art deco and art moderne treasures in exceptionally lucid prose and pristine photography. Especially interesting are explanations of the artistic processes used in creating public art and stories of the artists. The book also includes many historic photos, an index of artists and a color-coded map of the Rockefeller Center for reference.