New York Bronzes

Oil on canvas

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Description

These two very large paintings were done as originals for two bronze bas-relief panels in a landmark New York building.

The building is the former Helmsley Building (now called simply 230 Park Avenue) at the top of Park Avenue over Grand Central Terminal. It was built as the head office of the New York Central Railroad in the 1920′s and is a listed art-deco monument. It was refurbished between 2004 and 2010 by developers Monday Properties, working with architects BBB. The bronzes replace former directory panels in listed frames in the bronze-and-marble foyer.

Using the paintings as a base, the bronzes were modelled by Excalibur Bronze of Brooklyn, being lost wax castings in the traditional method. They measure approximately 4.5 by 2.2 metres. The scenes depict the Dreyfus-designed 20th-Century Limited streamlined train hauled by a Hudson locomotive, with an allegorical background including the 230 Park Avenue building and a New York skyline. The originals hang in the boardroom of the developers.

One of the two bronze bas-reliefs which flank the entrance lobby.