City Hall Park (Woolworth Building) c. 1915

Bror Julius Olsson Nordfeldt made this etching of City Hall Park with the Woolworth Building, using a copper plate and acid to create the image. The linear precision achieved through the etching process, and the tonal variations, influence our perception of these New York buildings. The delicate lines create a sense of depth and texture, reflecting the architectural details of the Woolworth Building, nicknamed the "Cathedral of Commerce" when it was built, which gives the building a somewhat spectral presence. Nordfeldt's printmaking skills have imbued the artwork with a sense of history, drawing on the traditions of graphic arts while documenting modern urban life. This imagery reflects wider social issues, capturing the rapid urbanization and economic expansion of the early 20th century, and the labor involved in constructing these massive buildings. The Woolworth Building itself was a symbol of corporate power and the changing dynamics of labor and capital, and its rendering in this etching highlights those forces. Understanding Nordfeldt’s process and context allows us to appreciate the artwork's layered meaning, bridging the gap between fine art and craft.