City Hall Square and Wanamaker Building 1912

This lithograph of City Hall Square and the Wanamaker Building was created by Joseph Pennell, likely in the early 20th century. Pennell was an American expatriate, known for his prints and drawings of urban scenes, particularly of New York and London. Pennell's image reflects the early 20th century's fascination with the modern city, and its simultaneous faith in American commerce and technology. The towering Wanamaker Building, with its imposing size and visible communication tower, is a monument to consumer culture. The figures bustling in the square below suggest the energy and dynamism of city life. As historians, we might ask, what was the relationship between art and commerce at this time? How did artists like Pennell contribute to the myth of the modern city? Research into magazines, advertising, and architectural history can shed light on the social meanings of this striking image.