Description
Book SynopsisIn New York’s Golden Age of Bridges, artist Antonio Masi’s paintings and Joan Marans Dim’s text encourage the understanding and appreciation of the art and history of the city’s nine “Golden-Age” bridges, explore the connections they’ve fostered, and reveal their impact on the city, nation, and world.
Trade Review"Antonio Masi is quite simply an astonishing painter. His large-scale watercolor paintings have a grandeur to them that is most appropriate to his subject of the awe-inspiring New York City bridges he loves to portray. He is able to capture changing weather, the feel of endless traffic, and the atmosphere of the vibrant and bustling city these engineering marvels serve, but most of all Antonio portrays their majesty and grace. Anyone who loves the experience that is New York will want to own and absorb this book-these are images that are timeless." -- -Claudia Seymour President, Salmagundi "... Offer[s] a multidimensional exploration of New York City's nine major bridges... Each of these classic bridges has its own story, and the book's paintings show the majesty and artistry, while the essays fill in the fascinating details of its social, cultural, economic, political and environmental history." -The Artist's Life "Many books have been written about the bridges of New York, as evidenced by the volumes cited in this work. Yet, the idea of framing descriptive text and a highly personalized story around critically acclaimed works of fine art is a unique approach. Through the visual interpretation of Antonio Masi, the bridges take on different personae according to mood, physicality, vantage point, and time of day. Joan Marans Dim's essays are a translation of the process for the reader and viewer and bring a contextual richness to viewing the works that might otherwise be missing." -- -Nancy Murphy Cricco University Archivist, New York University "New York's Golden Age of Bridges" uses paintings by Antonio Masi and essays by Joan Marans Dim to span the gaps in the skyline by focusing on the physical connections that helped create Greater New York." -The New York Times "For most of us bridges are massive immovable structures of steel, cement and cables; marvels of engineering that we don't understand. We take them for granted as they transport us from one place to another. As seen through the eyes of Antonio Masi and portrayed in his powerful paintings bridges become beautiful, and as ethereal as medieval cathedrals. His paintings, like the bridges, also take us from one place to another. Antonio's place is a place where his artistic vision, his magical light and movement let us understand his personal connection to these bridges and marvel at the beauty he presents for our enjoyment." -- -Jim McFarlane President, American Watercolor Society "Poetic and enlightening, New York's Golden Age of Bridges pairs Antonio Masi's masterful watercolors with Joan Marans Dim's entertaining essays. Masi makes his own contribution to the rich artistic heritage celebrating the city's great landmarks. His command of watercolor conveys both the mighty weight and the evocative delicacy of New York's soaring spans, while Dims' commentary offers insights into the artist's life-long engagement with the subject, his aims and influences. Their stirring collaboration will take its place on the bookshelves of New York devotees." -- -Pamela N. Koob Curator, Permanent Collection, The Art Students League of New York
Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter One: The Brooklyn Bridge, May 24, 1883 Chapter Two: The Williamsburg Bridge, December 19, 1903 Chapter Three: The Queensboro Bridge, March 30, 1909 Chapter Four: The Manhattan Bridge, December 31, 1909 Chapter Five: The George Washington Bridge, October 25, 1931 Chapter Six: The Triborough Bridge, July 11, 1936 (renamed the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge on August 8, 2008) Chapter Seven: The Bronx-Whitestone Bridge, April 29, 1939 Chapter Eight: The Throgs Neck Bridge, January 11, 1961 Chapter Nine: The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, November 21, 1964 Acknowledgments Selected Bibliography
