Herald Square c. 1935 - 1943

Harry LeRoy Taskey made this print of Herald Square sometime in the mid-20th century. It's a dense little world, made with lines that are like tiny, insistent whispers. See how the texture almost vibrates? The lines build up, layer upon layer, creating this palpable sense of depth and weight. It's like the city itself, accumulating history and stories over time. The eye is drawn to the light coming from within the station where the people are. Taskey shows us a world of almost complete dark, the deep ink of the buildings and the sky and then this glimpse of hope. This reminds me a little of Piranesi's etchings, but with a touch of American grit. Taskey embraces the complexity, the density, the sheer overwhelmingness of the city. It's not just a picture; it's an experience.