These images capture New York City as it emerged from the Depression and experienced an extraordinary building boom, from the completion of the Empire State Building to the massive Rockefeller Center project, completed in 1940.
After an exhibition of his early Modernist work at the pioneering Julien Levy Gallery in 1932, MacRae was hired in 1934 to record the construction of Rockefeller Center, in which he was provided studio space
Among the most striking prints in the exhibition is his large print titled ATLAS, from 1938, featuring the towering bronze sculpture by Lee Lawrie and Rene Paul Chambellan that sits in front of Rockefeller Center on Fifth Avenue and depicts the ancient Greek god Atlas holding the heavens. More intimate views feature the Roxyettes, later to become the Rockettes, performing at Radio City Music Hall, as well as a closeup of Cab Calloway performing at the Cotton Club.
Wendell MacRae
Rock-Paper-Scissors
November 4 – December 23, 2017
Laurence Miller Gallery
521 West 26th Street, New York, NY 10001, United States
laurencemillergallery.com
Window Washer, 1936. Photo: Wendell MacRae
Rockefeller Center as seen from the below the Sixth Ave El. Photo: Wendell MacRae
Construction Workers atop Rockefeller Center. Photo: Wendell MacRae
Construction Rockefeller Center. Photo: Wendell MacRae
Construction Rockefeller Center. Photo: Wendell MacRae
RCA Building. Photo: Wendell MacRae
RCA Building. Photo: Wendell MacRae
1939 Worlds Fair. Photo: Wendell MacRae
“Summer in NY” The Beresford, 211 Central Park West. Photo: Wendell MacRae
“Gothic & Modern” St. Patricks Cathedral & Rockefeller Center (51st St looking East). Photo: Wendell MacRae
