Water Front, From Roof of Irving Trust Co. Building, Manhattan 1938

Berenice Abbott captured this gelatin silver print, "Water Front, From Roof of Irving Trust Co. Building, Manhattan," during an era defined by rapid urbanization and industrial expansion. Abbott, a New Woman, used photography to document and celebrate the changing urban landscape, and her lens was often drawn to New York City. This photograph presents an elevated perspective, which quite literally looks down on the bustling waterfront. Skyscrapers dominate the frame, embodying the ambitious spirit of capitalism and the hierarchical structures of society. Look closely at the plumes of smoke rising from the rooftops. What do they evoke for you? Abbott is capturing a city in motion, teeming with both promise and potential, but also rife with the consequences of unchecked industrial growth. Abbott once remarked on her desire to "make a portrait of the city." This photograph serves as a time capsule, inviting reflection on the complex interplay between progress, identity, and the environment.