The George Washington Bridge

Margaret Bourke-White

1933 · Platinum print · Photographs

Spanning the Hudson River between New Jersey and upper Manhattan, the George Washington Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in existence when completed in 1931. Bourke-White translates this vast structure into a condensed recession of upright suspension wires, diminishing into the distance and terminating in the bridge’s second tower. Framing the view within the soaring arc of the first tower, Bourke-White emphasizes the beauty of modern construction as much as its scale. Intended for an essay in Fortune magazine, the photograph is a testament not only to industrial building but also to the new alliances between business, media, and photography.

Artist

Margaret Bourke-White

Date

1933

Medium

Platinum print

Department

Photographs

Credit line

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