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Icarus, Empire State Building

Lewis Hine American
1930
Not on view
Of the many photographs Hine took of the Empire State Building, this one became the popular favorite. Suspended in graceful sangfroid, the steelworker symbolizes daring technical innovation of the sort Daedalus embodied in Greek legend. While Daedulus flew the middle course between sea and sky safely, his son Icarus flew too close to the sun and perished. The optimism of this image suggests that it was not Icarus's folly but his youth and his ability to fly that prompted Hine's title.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Icarus, Empire State Building
  • Artist: Lewis Hine (American, 1874–1940)
  • Date: 1930
  • Medium: Gelatin silver print
  • Dimensions: 18.7 x 23.7 cm (7 3/8 x 9 5/16 in.)
  • Classification: Photographs
  • Credit Line: Ford Motor Company Collection, Gift of Ford Motor Company and John C. Waddell, 1987
  • Object Number: 1987.1100.119
  • Curatorial Department: Photographs

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