The New York City Municipal Archives recently opened up their database of over 870,000 photos (fully browseable here!), and we combed through the stockpile for moments in the history of art in NYC. Remember when the Whitney was in MoMA’s backyard? When Swedish artists made engravings of carts, pigs, and stray dogs on Broadway? When public schools had art classes?
South elevation of original red brick structure of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 1874. (Courtesy NYC Municipal Archives)
Artists rendering of fireworks display for opening ceremonies. Drawn for the Unexcelled Fireworks Company. 1883. (Courtesy NYC Municipal Archives)
Art poster, pipe cleaner figures, flanked by library books, WPA sign, open book with diagrams, 1935-1941. (Federal Writers' Project/Courtesy NYC Municipal Archives)
"Queer Fish"- Lithograph by Mabel Dwight, 1936. (Whitney Museum of American Art/Copy photo by James Suydam/Courtesy NYC Municipal Archives)
Museum of Modern Art, 11 West 53rd Street, 1935-1941. (Federal Writers' Project/Courtesy NYC Municipal Archives)
Museum of Modern Art, 11 West 53rd Street, between 5th & 6th Avenues, looking northwest at facade. 1961. (Courtesy NYC Municipal Archives)
Sculpture Garden of Museum of Modern Art, 1961. (Courtesy NYC Municipal Archives)
Whitney Museum of American Art, 22 West 54th Street, looking west from MOMA's Garden. 1960-1966. (Ezra Stoller/Courtesy NYC Municipal Archives)
Sculpture Room, Whitney Museum of American Art, 10 West 8th Street, New York City, 1938. (Federal Writers' Project/Courtesy NYC Municipal Archives)
PS 10, Queens: boy student painting in art class. 31st Avenue near 45th Street. 1942. (A. J. Hickey/Courtesy NYC Municipal Archives)
Boy and girl elementary school students painting at easels. (Unidentified school.) (Courtesy NYC Municipal Archives)
Creative Art Class: adults drawing seated clothed male model. Framed drawings on walls and sculpture. (Board of Education/Courtesy NYC Municipal Archives)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1961. (Courtesy NYC Municipal Archives)
Metropolitan Museum of Art: Greco-Roman Exhibit Hall. Classical statue in center, urns along wall. 1915-1917. (Board of Estimate/Courtesy NYC Municipal Archives)
Metropolitan Museum of Art: Exhibition Hall; Victorian statue in center, urns along walls. 1915-1917. (Board of Estimate/Courtesy NYC Municipal Archives)
Open-air sculpture show, Park Avenue and 39th Street, New York City, 1938. (Federal Writers' Project/Courtesy NYC Municipal Archives)
Paris International Expo: Aluminium Pavilion. Art Moderne style, 1937. (H. Baranger/Courtesy NYC Municipal Archives)
Paris International Expo: Palace of Railroads. Art Moderne style, 1937. (H. Baranger/Courtesy NYC Municipal Archives)
Paris International Expo: Interior, Museum of Modern Art, 1937. (H. Baranger/Courtesy NYC Municipal Archives)
Religious poster combining multiple creeds, and philosophies, 1934-1945. (Courtesy NYC Municipal Archives)
Unidentified semi-abstract mural by Aldo Lazzarini, 1935-1941. (Federal Writers' Project/Courtesy NYC Municipal Archives)
Engraving reproduction, view of Broadway toward City Hall. Carts, pigs, stray dogs in street. Pedestrians on sidewalks. 1934-1945. (Courtesy NYC Municipal Archives)
