HOWARD NORTON COOK (AMERICAN 1901-1980) "CHRYSLER BUILDING"

1930. Edition of 75 (only 50 printed). Pencil signed 'Howard Cook Imp' bottom right, woodcut on paper
Plate size: 10 x 6 9/16 in. (25.4 x 16.7cm)
Sheet size: 11 7/8 x 9 in. (30.2 x 22.9cm)
[Duffy 122]

Provenance: Owings-Dewey Fine Art, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Acquired directly from the above.
Private Collection.
NOTE:
Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, Cook studied printmaking under Joseph Pennell at the Art Students League beginning in the early 1920s. Living in New York City during the late 1920s and early 1930s, Cook often depicted his environs, focusing on new construction in the city as his most favored subject matter. The present lot depicts the famous Art Deco-style Chrysler Building, which is located on Manhattan's East side of Midtown, and whose construction began in 1928. Upon completion it was the world's tallest building before it was surpassed by the Empire State Building. Cook's rendering emphasizes the structure's imposing height, using strongly contrasting lights and darks to accentuate its presence amongst the other urban buildings.