New York Stock Exchange 1930

Anton Schutz created this etching of the New York Stock Exchange, an image that vibrates with the energy and ambition of early 20th-century America. Born in Bavaria, Schutz immigrated to the United States, drawn by the promise of its burgeoning industrial and financial power. His work often romanticized the American city, celebrating its architecture and bustling streets. Here, the imposing Stock Exchange building, with its classical facade, symbolizes stability and order amidst the frenzy of the market. Yet, as we look closer, it's impossible to ignore the social and economic disparities that this image papers over. The pursuit of wealth and progress often came at the expense of marginalized communities, whose labor and resources fueled this growth. Schutz's Stock Exchange freezes a moment in time where the narrative of American success was being forged, even as the costs were unevenly distributed.