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DuSable Brige Esplanade
Architects: Edward H. Bennett, Pihlfeld & Young: The DuSable Bridge Esplanade was built in the early 1920s in Chicago. It is named after Jean Baptiste DuSable who was the first permanent settler in Chicago who was not a native. The bridge was essentially built as a tribute and depiction of DuSable with fine sculptures on the side. -
Smoke Break
Artist: Unknown: Although the photographer of this photo is unknown, the popularity of the photograph itself among cyclists and photographers is not unknown. This photo was taken in the early 1920s of two men, now identified as Vervaeke and Geldhol, taking a smoke break during the Tour de France. Not only does it highlight the ignorance (yet popularity) of smoking during the time period, it also shows the evolution of cycling and safety in general (notice, no one is wearing a bike helmet!) -
The Titanic Memorial, Belfast
Architect: SIr Thomas Brock: Sculpted in honor of the victims of Titanic, this sculpture, finished in 1920, was a reminder that the Titanic tragedy was still fresh in the minds of those who lost loved ones. The sculpture is made of marble and represents a female Thanatos who represents death. At her feet lie the victims of the Titanic as well as mermaids at her feet. -
Aucassiu and Nicolette
Artist: Charles Demuth: This painting is bold for its time, as was Charles Demuth himself. He was a painter who was considered a transformative artist of the 20th century. He was known for using bold lines and shapes. Additionally, he often touched upon sensitive issues for the time when it came to things like race and gender. -
Lake George
Artist Georgia O’Keeffe: Georgia O’Keeffe was an artist in the 20’s known for her colorful and timeless paintings. This specific painting was the result of a trip to Lake George with her family. Painted in 1920, this picture depicts, as many of hers do, a body of water or landscape with mountains in the background. -
Imperial Hotel, Tokyo
Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright: If there is a name that most people know when it comes to early 20th-century architecture, it is Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright is well-known for multiple structures whose design essentially changed the way we think about building and structures today. Interestingly enough, because of its build and structure, the Imperial Hotel (despite its lavishly artistic design) was one of the only buildings to withstand a 1923 Tokyo earthquake. -
Steeple and Street
Artist: Davis Stuart: Davis Stuart, unlike Charles Hawthorne, actually grew up in an artist family. Born in Philadelphia, Stuart was inspired and coerced by his parents to study art. His father was a graphic design. Davis Stuart studied in France and began painting watercolors. His abstract paintings contradicted the Abstract Expressionism for the time period. -
The Lincoln Memorial
Architect: Daniel Chester French: The famous Lincoln Memorial was erected for Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. Construction of the Memorial began in 1914 when ground was broken for the foundation of the memorial. Though there were breaks in the construction of the memorial due to World War I, its completion in 1922 was nothing short of extraordinary. -
Coney Island
Artist: Edward E. Rutter: Similar to Eugene de Salignac, Edward Rutter was well known for capturing ordinary everyday life in New York. This photograph high captures a summer day at the famous Coney Island, showing that, even in the early 1920’s (and even more so) an ordinary day at the beach was always a party. -
Wrigley Building
Architects: Graham, Anderson, Probst and White: Also built in the early 1920’s, the famous Wrigley Building was originally built to house the Wrigley Gum company. Now, a famous skyscraper for tourists, it was then built to mimic French architecture, with faux white terra cotta tiles. -
The Three Dancers
Artist: Pablo Picasso: One of the most well known artists for his time, Picasso was well known for his eclectic and abstract style in art. His style of artwork was constantly changing, and he painted anything from abstract to surrealism to realism. Not only did he paint different genres, but he mastered them, making his name famous and well known to all. -
A Study in White
Artist: Charles Hawthorne: Interestingly enough, as a child, Hawthorne did not show much ambition towards the art. He grew up near the ocean because his father lived on the seas for his occupation. It wasn’t until later in life that has the urge to become an artist, and in doing so. He moved to New York. As a result of his colorful, scenic childhood, many of his paintings depict people and places of his childhood. -
Monolith, Face of Half Dome (Yosemite)
Artist: Ansel Adams: If you visit Yosemite today, you will undoubtedly find a book of Ansel Adam’s photos in almost every gift or souvenir store. One of his most widely photographed places was Yosemite National Park. He truly captured nature its timeless beauty. -
Lower Paradise Valley
Artist: Ansel Adams: Ansel Adams is a timeless photographer whose work is still popular today. Because he photographed in black and white, his images are timeless. One of his first photographs is Lower Paradise Valley is the first to capture the beauty of nature. It is said that this is the photograph that truly made Ansel Adams famous. -
The Chrysler Building
Architect: William Van Alen: Construction of the Chrysler Building in New York City began in 1928 and was completed in 1930. It also boasted the Art Deco style of the 1920’s and was, for a few months, the tallest building in New York City. Though used for the Chrysler company in its heyday, It is now a famous tourist attraction for travelers. -
Figure
Artist: Andre Breton: This image is actually a collage that was pieced together by multiple artists, but the brainchild of Andre Breton. Though he was a French artist, his vocation was inspired by his small stint working in a mental health ward. His curiosity about the human mind inspired his unique connection to Surrealist art, as seen above. -
Louisiana Rice Fields
Artist: Thomas Benton: Thomas Benton was a very popular yet very criticized painter for his time. Much of his work depicted the cultural Midwest. What is may be most well known for are his ideas and paintings that boldy went against racist entities, such as the KKK. He has been described as a populist and an expressive realist for the characters in his paintings. -
A Worker on the Brooklyn Bridge
Artist: Eugene de Salignac: Eugene de Salignac is well known for his iconic photography of bridge workers in the 1920s and the 1930s. He was actually a municipal city employee (for New York City) who took photos of the booming infrastructure and the people who dared to complete such dangerous jobs. Today, photographers still admire his exquisite eye for the industrial. -
Carbide and Carbon Building
Architects: Burnham Brothers: The Carbide and Carbon Building broke barriers for its time. It is an Art Deco style building made of granite and Terra cotta laced with gold accents. Though it was built specifically for its business (as was customary in the 1920’s), it is now used as a hotel. -
Roadside Stand Near Birmingham
Artist: Walker Evans: Walker Evans was well known for taking photographs of ordinary people, especially those working jobs that were not as glamorous as those in the upper class. He most definitely captured the distinction of class in the 1920s. His photographs are described as elegant and clear, sincerely depicting people in real life as seen in the photograph above.
