view of building with multiple levels that is predominantly yellow in color with blue, gray and black abstract sections across middle and into upper right quadrant; three columns extending vertically in foreground, with three levels visible behind columns; columns connect with vaulted ceiling across the top; street runs horizontally across lower quadrant; images of loosely sketched figures on middle floor interior; two rectangle shapes that resemble windows on top floor

%C2%A9 Estate of Isabel Bishop. Courtesy of DC Moore Gallery%2C New York.

Under Union Square, 20th century

expand_more

Oil and tempera on panelexpand_more

Gift of John C. Weberexpand_more  2016.51.1

Not on Viewexpand_more

Isabel Bishop was a perceptive chronicler of New York and often painted around the bustling area around Union Square. This sparsely composed image of the massive subway station below Union Square was the first of three she made in 1957-58. Bishop was fascinated by the engineering marvel of the New York subway but she also pondered how the spaces felt. She struggled with the paradox of a solid, forbidding interior that served as a means for rapid movement; a place of crowds yet one of alienation.In a 1959 interview she stated that she liked the sense of “appearing and disappearing” that occurs in this version but strove in later variations to make it seem less like a “prison.”

file_downloadprintshare
arrow_back home
Details
Title
Under Union Square
Artist Life
1902–1988
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2016.51.1
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

Does something look wrong with this image? Let us know

Zoom in on the left to the detail you'd like to save. Click 'Save detail' and wait until the image updates. Right click the image to 'save image as' or copy link, or click the image to open in a new tab.

view of building with multiple levels that is predominantly yellow in color with blue, gray and black abstract sections across middle and into upper right quadrant; three columns extending vertically in foreground, with three levels visible behind columns; columns connect with vaulted ceiling across the top; street runs horizontally across lower quadrant; images of loosely sketched figures on middle floor interior; two rectangle shapes that resemble windows on top floor

© Estate of Isabel Bishop. Courtesy of DC Moore Gallery, New York.