Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Thirty-Fourth Street And Fifth Avenue

This drawing by Joseph Pennell, titled "Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Thirty-Fourth Street And Fifth Avenue," captures the bustling atmosphere and impressive architecture of the iconic hotel, which was a symbol of luxury in New York City during its time. Created with a mix of pastel tones and charcoal, the artwork emphasizes the grandeur and ornate detail of the hotel's facade.The Waldorf Astoria Hotel is depicted with its distinctive, richly decorated exterior, featuring several tiers of bay windows, turrets, and elaborate stone carvings that speak to its opulence. The grand entrance is prominently featured, welcoming visitors into its lavish interiors, suggested by the majestic columns and detailed stonework of the portal.Activity around the hotel is lively, with various figures shown in motion—pedestrians, horse-drawn carriages, and possibly early automobiles—illustrating the vibrancy of New York street life at the turn of the century. The composition, with its slight tilt and upward perspective, gives a sense of the towering presence and architectural significance of the Waldorf Astoria in the urban landscape of its era.The choice of paper, showing through in areas as a neutral background, along with the dynamic, sketchy lines, brings an immediacy to the scene, as if Pennell captured a moment directly observed from the bustling streets of New York City.