Study for Building of the United Nations

Harold Weston, Study for Building of the United Nations, ca. 1949, pencil on paper, sheet: 7 × 5 in. (17.8 × 12.7 cm) mount: 18 × 30 12 in. (45.7 × 77.5 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Faith Weston, 1979.54.3

Artwork Details

Title
Study for Building of the United Nations
Date
ca. 1949
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
sheet: 7 × 5 in. (17.8 × 12.7 cm) mount: 18 × 30 12 in. (45.7 × 77.5 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Faith Weston
Mediums
Mediums Description
pencil on paper
Classifications
Subjects
  • Study
  • Architecture Exterior — industry — construction
  • Cityscape — New York — New York
Object Number
1979.54.3

Artwork Description

On his own initiative and without a commission, Harold Weston chronicled the construction of the United Nations headquarters in six paintings he produced between 1949 and 1952. These studies offer a glimpse of his working process for creating the finished paintings, one of which hangs in this room. Weston offered to donate his series, hoping it would be exhibited in the Secretariat Building, but despite praise from such luminaries as Eleanor Roosevelt, the UN declined his gift. Officials may have viewed a more contemporary, avant-garde style like abstract expressionism more in keeping with the UN's future-minded spirit and mission. Weston subsequently gave the paintings to the National Collection of Fine Arts (now the Smithsonian American Art Museum) in 1955.

Works by this artist (1 item)

Linda Cummings, In the Name of the Daughter, 1997, photogravure, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of an anonymous donor, 1997.120
In the Name of the Daughter
Date1997
photogravure
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Karin Birch, Mapping Territories, 1997, painted and embroidered organza, cotton, and linen and embroidery thread, glass beads, and acrylic paint, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of friends of the artist, 1998.127.3, © 1996, Karin Birch
Mapping Territories
Date1997
painted and embroidered organza, cotton, and linen and embroidery thread, glass beads, and acrylic paint
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Karin Birch, Night Sky, 1997, linen, embroidery thread, glass beads, and acrylic paint, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of friends of the artist, 1998.127.2, © 1997, Karin Birch
Night Sky
Date1997
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Not on view
Karin Birch, Decline, 1997, linen, embroidery thread, glass beads, and acrylic paint, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of friends of the artist, 1998.127.1, © 1997, Karin Birch
Decline
Date1997
linen, embroidery thread, glass beads, and acrylic paint
Not on view
Jane Sauer, Elaborate Layers, 1985, waxed linen thread and acrylic paint, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Eleanor T. and Samuel J. Rosenfeld, 2002.8.13
Elaborate Layers
Date1985
waxed linen thread and acrylic paint
Not on view