Artwork
Hotel Plaza from Central Park
Hotel Plaza from Central Park is an ink print by Rachael Robinson Elmer. It dates from 1914 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The composition balances the towering façade of the hotel with the surrounding trees, a reflective water surface, and two swans gliding across the pond.
Created in 1914, this offset lithograph by American artist Rachael Robinson Elmer depicts the Plaza Hotel as seen from the edge of Central Park. The composition balances the towering façade of the hotel with the surrounding trees, a reflective water surface, and two swans gliding across the pond. Soft blues, greens, and muted yellows dominate the palette, lending the scene a calm, slightly atmospheric quality.
Subject & Meaning
The work juxtaposes urban architecture with natural elements, presenting the Plaza Hotel framed by park foliage and a tranquil pond. The inclusion of swans and the mirrored water suggests a moment of quiet within the bustling city, inviting viewers to consider the coexistence of Manhattan’s built environment and its green spaces.
Technique & Style
Elmer employed offset lithography, a printmaking process that transfers an image from a stone or metal plate onto paper via a rubber blanket. The technique allows for delicate tonal gradations, evident in the soft sky and water reflections. The relatively loose, almost postcard-like execution hints at a rapid production method while retaining a refined compositional balance.
History & Provenance
The lithograph was produced during the early twentieth‑century boom in tourist imagery, when postcards and printed city views were popular souvenirs. Signed by Elmer in the lower corner, the piece reflects her interest in documenting New York landmarks. Its provenance traces back to private collections of early 20th‑century travelers, though specific ownership records remain limited.
Artist & collection
