Rooftop, 14th Street

Armin Landeck

In the background of this rooftop cityscape we can see the clock tower of the Consolidated Edison Building (commonly called Con Ed), complete with its famous "Tower of Light", a small temple crowning the tower that was designed by Warren and Welmore architects to memorialize the Con Ed workers who died in World War I. This is topped by a bronze lantern that was among the first to be lit with electricity, and to feature a multi-color cycle of light.

This is likely to roof of the building where Landeck's studio was located. Landeck was drawn to the angularity of urabn rooftops, with their skylights, watertowers, and other details rarely seen from the ground. He would revisit rooftops throughout his career.