Icarus, Empire State Building

Lewis Hine

1930 · Gelatin silver print · Photographs

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.

Artist

Lewis Hine

Date

1930

Medium

Gelatin silver print

Department

Photographs

Credit line

Ford Motor Company Collection, Gift of Ford Motor Company and John C. Waddell, 1987