Murals of New York City Art Book Review

Posted By yonghow on September 2nd, 2024

The discovery of this book is yet another dividend I got when browsing the many big book stores while I was in Tokyo earlier this spring. I’ve never been to New York and have always wanted to visit ( mostly to see all the paintings at the MET museum ), but the stunning murals showcased in this book just gave me another good reason to.

Book synopsis – If all of the murals of New York City were under one roof, it would be the greatest collection of populist art in America. MURALS OF NEW YORK CITY is the first book to curate over thirty of the most important, influential, and impressive murals found within all five boroughs.

The murals featured in this volume act as both an artistic and cultural guide to New York and its citizens over the past 100+ years—from the Victorian sensibilities of the 1900’s, to the New Deal outlook of the WPA-commissioned artworks, to the graffiti-inflected art of Keith Haring and Barry McGee. The book enlightens readers with the lively back stories of those who commissioned and created these murals, and documents the works through extensive original photography that shows both the murals in context, and with details that highlight the artistic hand of the muralists.

From courthouses, to libraries, to schoolrooms, to classic hotel watering holes, MURALS OF NEW YORK CITY introduces readers to a wide range of cultural icons and artistic treasures. Full-color images of works by the world’s most celebrated artists including Marc Chagall, Roy Lichtenstein, Maxfield Parrish, and more are accompanied by informative and historical commentary. MURALS OF NEW YORK CITY is perfect for art and architecture lovers and serves as a resource for New Yorkers, and a souvenir for the millions of tourists who visit the city every year. The book contains addresses and historical information on each mural, artist, and location, including the circumstances in which they were created, restored, and preserved.

Murals of New York City: The Best of New York's Public Paintings from Bemelmans to Parrish Art Book Review

Until I make my maiden trip to New York and get to visit these locations ( those that are open to the public/those I can afford ), this book is going to tide me over. The reproductions and photographs are excellent, and I’m so glad to discover all these new artists through the amazing mural work they have painted. Highly recommended.

While we’re talking about mural art, I would be remiss not to mention the excellent Taschen monograph on Diego Rivera and his spectacular portfolio of mural paintings.

“Murals of New York City: The Best of New York’s Public Paintings from Bemelmans to Parrish” book details :

– Dimensions – 9.94 x 1.03 x 8.26 inches
– Hardcover, 228 pages
– Full color