Penthouse View
Penthouse View
56 Seventh Avenue is the address in Greenwich Village where Berenice Abbott took this photograph in 1937, capturing a high-rise view of unremarkable buildings framed by patio furniture and metal railings. Those may not be spectacular subject matter, but Abbott made a career out of transforming the prosaic into the sublime, with a sculptor's eye and an artist's heart. The composition she thoughtfully created is a quiet love letter to her life in New York – its unexpected juxtapositions and the poetry that can result.
Photographer: Berenice Abbott
Date: 1937
Image: NY-001A
THE PHOTOGRAPHER: One of the major figures of 20th Century photography, Berenice Abbott was best known for her innovative photographs of New York City architecture and urban design of the 1930s. Throughout her career, Abbott’s photography was shaped by her interest in technological progress and her enthusiasm for a rapidly-evolving society. Her choices of subject matter and her visual expression were all guided by her belief that a modern-day invention such as the camera deserved to document the 20th century — accurately and honestly. Learn more about Berenice Abbott.
Framed Print Sizing Details
SMALL
Dimensions with frame: 12.5" x 14.625"
Dimensions of photo: 8" x 10.125"
MEDIUM
Dimensions with frame and mat: 18" x 21.5"
Dimensions of photo: 12.5" x 16"
LARGE
Dimensions with frame and mat: 23" x 27.5"
Dimensions of photo: 16.5" x 20.75"
