The story behind: The New Yorker

Each month, we select an image from IXXI's collection and tell you more about it. Simply because it's an image that appeals to lots of people, or because it's particularly beautiful, or because it has an interesting story. This month, we're telling you the story behind the photo The New Yorker by Teun Voeten. Because don't we all like to imagine that we're Carrie Bradshaw sometimes?



The Dutch photographer, anthropologist, researcher and writer Teun Voeten shot this picture of the iconic hotel in 2010 during a reportage on the lively city. Architecture is a recurring theme in Teun's various photo series. We've chosen to highlight this photo not just because the hotel is one of the skyscrapers so typical of New York but also because it's instantly recognisable even to those who have never been to the city.

The New Yorker Hotel, part of the Wyndham Hotels chain, has a history that is just as impressive as the design of the building itself. Construction on the 1.2 million square metre hotel began in 1928, when jazz music could be heard on every street corner. The gigantic building was designed by Sugarman and Berger Architects and would become the largest and most ultra-modern building in the country.



The hotel has a typically American construction and was entirely designed in the Art Deco style. Because the hotel is such a striking part of the New York skyline, it's also called 'The Grand Old Lady'. The illuminated letters on the top of the hotel stick out above the rooftops of the surrounding buildings. The hotel has an ice rink and an underground tunnel that leads to Penn Station. (Yes you read that correctly. That's the place where the famous opening scene from Gossip Girl was filmed). That sounds like the perfect spot to start your city trip. This stylishly decorated hotel is a sight to see!

Not planning a trip to New York yet? No problem. With this photo of the New Yorker Hotel, you can imagine you're right there on 35th Street. Not bad, eh? Are you curious about the stories behind some of our other images? Then you can read all about Hummingbirds from The Victoria & Albert Museum or the Kimonos from the Rijksmuseum.