Facade: 180 West 58th Street, Manhattan 1938

Berenice Abbott made this gelatin silver print, “Facade: 180 West 58th Street, Manhattan,” as part of her project “Changing New York.” She captured the city's architectural diversity with the use of strong diagonals and detailed views. This photograph frames a highly ornamented Beaux-Arts building against the backdrop of a simpler, modern skyscraper. The contrast speaks volumes about New York's evolving urban landscape during the early 20th century. Abbott's project was supported by the Federal Art Project, a division of the Works Progress Administration. This New Deal program provided work for unemployed artists during the Great Depression. Her photography documents New York's built environment, but also the social and economic changes that shaped the city. Understanding Abbott’s work means exploring municipal archives, planning documents, and social histories. We can then appreciate art’s role in reflecting and shaping our understanding of society.