MIT Libraries logoDome

MIT
View Item 
  • Dome Home
  • Visual Collections
  • Architecture, Urban Planning, and Visual Arts
  • View Item
  • Dome Home
  • Visual Collections
  • Architecture, Urban Planning, and Visual Arts
  • View Item
JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

RCA Building Murals (by Sert and Brangwyn)

Sert y Badiá, José Mariá; Brangwyn, Frank
Thumbnail
Download6A2-SJM-MCMW-A54_cp.jpg (324.7Kb)
Alternate file
6A2-SJM-MCMW-A54_sv.jpg (1.234Mb)
6A2-SJM-MCMW-A54_tm.jpg (21.31Kb)
Alternative Title
American Progress, the Triumph of Man's Accomplishments Through Physical and Mental Labor
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/1721.3/153631
Date
1930-1941
Description
South corridor murals (four) by Brangwyn; Sert was a Catalan Spanish muralist, the son of an affluent textile industry family and friend of Salvador Dalí. He was particularly known for his grisaille style, often in gold and black. His “American Progress” mural (1937) in the main lobby replaced Diego Rivera’s controversial homage to Lenin. Sert's mural depicts the country’s growth and shows statues of creative muses hauled by laboring strongmen. Lincoln, Emerson, and Gandhi lend a hand. "Time" was painted on the ceiling (5,000 sq ft; 1941). "Spirit of the Dance" was painted in the north hall (25 x 17 ft; 1941). Other murals line the stairwells and corridors. Titles include "Man's Triumph In Communication" (1933); "Abolition of War" (1933); "Abolition of Bondage" (1933); "Conquest of Disease" (1933). Four murals by Frank Brangwyn were commissioned for the south hall, 1930-1934. Brangwyn's theme was man's search for the eternal truth through Christ's teachings. The murals, which had darkened under varnish, were restored in 2009-2011 and the lobby repainted to match the original ivory colors. Source: Rockefeller Center [website]; http://www.rockefellercenter.com/ (accessed 4/29/2013)
Type of Work
mural painting (visual work)
Subject
allegory, cycles or series, progress, technology, medicine, Twentieth century
Rights
© Scott Gilchrist, Archivision, Inc.
Rights Statement
Licensed for educational and research use by the MIT community only
Metadata
Show full item record

Collections
  • Architecture, Urban Planning, and Visual Arts

Browse

All of DomeCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateCreatorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateCreatorsTitlesSubjects

My Account

Login
MIT Libraries
PrivacyPermissionsAccessibilityContact us
MIT
Content created by the MIT Libraries, CC BY-NC unless otherwise noted. Notify us about copyright concerns.