MARTIN LEWIS

Glow of the City (McC. 77; K./McC. 87)

Details
MARTIN LEWIS
Glow of the City (McC. 77; K./McC. 87)
drypoint in brownish-black, 1929, on wove paper, watermark Handmade Sweden, a very fine impression, signed in pencil and inscribed 'imp.', from the edition of 110, with wide margins, pale mat staining, otherwise in very good condition, framed
P. 11¼ x 14 1/8in. (287 x 360mm.)

Lot Essay

Glow of the City is often considered to be Lewis' most important print, both for its technical mastery and its evocative depiction of the New York skyline. The church steeple at left once stood near the Manhattan entrance of the Queens-Midtown Tunnel. Erected a year before the taller Chrysler Building, the glowing tower of the Chanin Building was originally hailed for its night time visibility within a 35 mile radius. This lot is also inscribed 'Watahushi No. E' in the bottom margin, a reference to the type of paper on which it is printed.