Photo credit: 9/11 Memorial staff
Accession Number: C.2021.1.1
Dimensions: 26 in X 27 in
Dimensions (Metric): 66.04 cm X 68.58 cm
Dimensions (Metric): 66.04 cm X 68.58 cm
Source: George Wolffe
Credit Line: Gift of the artist, George Wolffe
Big Apple
Description
Original matted print titled Big Apple (1982) by George Wolffe. The print depicts a pen-and-ink drawing of an apple with the skin peeled back to reveal the iconic structures of the New York City skyline, including the Brooklyn Bridge, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, the U.N. Building, and the Twin Towers in the center.
Original matted print titled Big Apple (1982) by George Wolffe. The print depicts a pen-and-ink drawing of an apple with the skin peeled back to reveal the iconic structures of the New York City skyline, including the Brooklyn Bridge, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, the U.N. Building, and the Twin Towers in the center.
Historical Notes
New York artist, George Wolffe (b.1947), was born in Brooklyn and raised in Blue Point, Long Island. Although he experimented with different media, Wolffe would eventually develop a preference for pen and ink, in a style best described as pointillism.
In the late 1970s, after living in Florida for a while, Wolffe returned to New York and began sketching iconic New York City landmarks. He printed these images on stationery sold at airports and giftshops. Wolffe's Big Apple drawing is comprised of separate sketches which he collaged together. Each component—the apple, its petal, and the various New York City icons—was drawn independently and assembled piecemeal. The final product, copyrighted in 1982, took the artist several years to complete. In the aftermath of 9/11, Wolffe updated his traditional design by adding an American flag to the background and the phrase “Proudly We Stand” at the bottom.
New York artist, George Wolffe (b.1947), was born in Brooklyn and raised in Blue Point, Long Island. Although he experimented with different media, Wolffe would eventually develop a preference for pen and ink, in a style best described as pointillism.
In the late 1970s, after living in Florida for a while, Wolffe returned to New York and began sketching iconic New York City landmarks. He printed these images on stationery sold at airports and giftshops. Wolffe's Big Apple drawing is comprised of separate sketches which he collaged together. Each component—the apple, its petal, and the various New York City icons—was drawn independently and assembled piecemeal. The final product, copyrighted in 1982, took the artist several years to complete. In the aftermath of 9/11, Wolffe updated his traditional design by adding an American flag to the background and the phrase “Proudly We Stand” at the bottom.
