It's not surprising that some of New York's most famous murals can be found in bars or its iconic skyscrapers – that's where New Yorkers spend most of their time. In Murals of New York City: The Best of New York's Public Paintings from Bemelman's, Glenn Palmer-Smith tells the amazing stories behind many of the city's iconic works of public art. With works ranging Orozco to Keith Haring, the book and its photography by Joshua McHugh capture the works of art still setting the mood long after their initial introduction. And for those looking for some hidden gems (as well as a bar with a good cocktail) the book also serves as a guide to some of New York's less tourist-trampled locales. Click through to see some of our favorite works in the book, which is released with Rizzoli October 1st.
Joshua McHugh
The aptly-named Hotel des Artists, and its ground floor Café des Artistes, were long the gathering spot of America's art world luminaries. Howard Chandler Christy, a pupil of William Merritt Chase, struck a deal with the bar owner with an idea for a mural that can best he described as "sex sells."
Beginning in 1934, Christy painted his iconic series of nude women, all displaying the sensuality of youth and beauty.
Hotel des Artistes, 1 West 67th Street, Manhattan
Originally commissioned as an escape to medieval Siena, Sandro Chia instead opted to transport bar patrons to the frenzy known as the Palio di Siena horse race. The fiery scene graced the backdrop of the Palio Bar from its opening in 1986 until its recent closing. While we await a new owner, just imagine looking at that feverishly combustible scene after a few cocktails.
151 West 51st Street, Manhattan
The story of famed muralist Diego Rivera's fall-out with Nelson Rockefeller over the depiction of Valdimir Lenin in the lobby of the RCA building is well-documented. Rivera, a staunch Communist turned what was supposed to be an inspiring mural about the limitless possibilities of mankind into a painting depicting the rise of the worker class, and the inclusion of Lenin was untenable for Rockefeller so Rivera quit. And while the wheelbarrows filled with the shattered remains of his mural still makes many a fan whistful, José María Sert and his murals more than met the challenge. Sert, along with Frank Brangwyn, had originally been brought on to paint the murals next to Rivera's masterpiece, and thus stepped in when he quit. Aiming to celebrate the heady achievement of mankind, particularly with sckyscrapers and aviation, Sert's Time is jaw-droppingly dramatic, and declares that the sky really is our only limit.
Rockefeller Center, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, Manhattan
Made for the lobby of Goldman Sach's new building, Mehretu's Mural leaves no doubt that bankers see commerce as the driving force for New York's global position. The mural include ink drawings of commercial centers like the New York Stock Exchange or the London Stock Exchange mixed with lines connecting the nuclei of global commerce along with a plethora of free-from configurations in a variety of colors.
Goldman Sachs, 200 West Street, Manhattan
Not many artists can claim they have a park named the "Crack is Wack Playground" after their similarly-named mural. Keith Haring can. Haring (who himself died from AIDS in 1990) and his work often touched on the then-controversial topic. Pictured left is the 1986 mural he donated to the Woodhull Medical Center for its work on pediatric AIDS research and treatment. It is made up of his iconic dancing figures and barking dog, as well as pregnant women.
Woodhull Medical & Mental Health Center, 760 Broadway, Brooklyn
Surrounded by the historic buildings of the South Street Seaport, Con Edison's electrical substation was a bit of an eyesore. In an effort to transform the building, Haas opened the facades to a fantastical trompe l'oiel view of New York's most iconic bridges.
Peckslip Arcade, 43 Peckslip, Manhattan
