Through the Eyes of the Artists: Elie Hirschfeld’s NYC-Inspired Collection
Since the 20th century, New York City has drawn in and formed generations of artists, not only offering them opportunity, but often becoming the artists’ muse. Elie Hirschfeld’s collection, now a published compendium of artworks, depicts the many facets of this ongoing relationship.
Scenes of New York City: The Elie and Sarah Hirschfeld Collection, edited by Roberta J. M. Olson and published by D Giles Limited, reproduces the Elie Hirschfeld collection of artworks inspired by New York City. Real estate developer, philanthropist, and art collector Elie Hirschfeld began the collection in the 1970s with a 1945 painting by Thomas Hart Benton of Washington Square. The collection — which Elie Hirschfeld has gifted to the New-York Historical Society — comprises 113 pieces by 82 artists, most of which were executed after 1900.
The artists represented in the Elie Hirschfeld collection made their works as visitors, immigrants, and natives. They recorded their dynamic New York City as it changed throughout the years, in ways small and large. Hirschfeld’s collection offers a multifaceted visual history of the city. In conjunction with the book, Elie Hirschfeld’s collection is on view at the New-York Historical Society through August, and will remain in the permanent collection.
Read the original article here: https://hyperallergic.com/713274/how-artists-saw-new-york-city-throughout-the-20th-century/
