New York at Night (Exchange Place from Broadway) thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Not currently on display at the V&A
On short term loan out for exhibition

New York at Night (Exchange Place from Broadway)

Photograph
1934 (photographed)
Artist/Maker
Abbott, Berenice (photographer)
Place of origin
New York (photographed)

Abbott planned this shot meticulously. To achieve the desired effect, she calculated that it would be necessary to take the photograph on the shortest day of the year when the sky was sufficiently dark, but when New York city workers would still be in their offices with lights burning. The architecture is defined by the patterns of lighted windows representing the thousands of individuals creating the energy of the city.


Object details

Categories
Photographs
Architecture
Object type
Photograph
TitleNew York at Night (Exchange Place from Broadway) (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Gelatin silver print
Gelatin Silver Process
Brief description
Black and white photograph showing New York City streets and skyscrapers at night taken from high vantage-point by Berenice Abbott, made in New York City, 1934.
Physical description
Black and white photograph showing New York City streets and skyscrapers at night taken from high vantage-point.
Dimensions
  • Image height: 34.6cm
  • Image width: 27cm
  • Sheet height: 50.6cm
  • Sheet width: 40.5cm
Gallery label
  • Abbott planned this shot meticulously. To achieve the desired effect, she calculated that it would be necessary to take the photograph on the shortest day of the year when the sky was sufficiently dark, but when New York city workers would still be in their offices with lights burning. The architecture is defined by the patterns of lighted windows representing the thousands of individuals creating the energy of the city.(22 September 2004)
  • Gallery 100 ‘A History of Photography’, 2014-2015, label text: Berenice Abbott (1898–1991) ‘New York at Night (Exchange Place from Broadway)’ 1934, printed later Abbott planned this shot meticulously to achieve the desired effect. She calculated that it would be necessary to take the photograph on the shortest day of the year, when the sky was sufficiently dark, but when New York City workers would still be in their offices with lights burning. The patterns of lighted windows represent the thousands of individuals creating the energy of the city. Gelatin silver print Museum no. Ph.1153-1980 (06 03 2014)
Subjects depicted
Buildings
Night
Place depicted
New York
Summary
Abbott planned this shot meticulously. To achieve the desired effect, she calculated that it would be necessary to take the photograph on the shortest day of the year when the sky was sufficiently dark, but when New York city workers would still be in their offices with lights burning. The architecture is defined by the patterns of lighted windows representing the thousands of individuals creating the energy of the city.
Collection
Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection
Accession number
PH.1153-1980

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Record createdJune 1, 2005
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O112513/new-york-at-night-exchange-photograph-abbott-berenice/
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