The Bridges of Central Park
Spur Rock Arch (destroyed). Photo: Victor Prevost, 1862

The Bridges of Central Park

Given the size of Central Park, it was obvious to engineer Egbert Ludovicus Viele that roads would have to be built across it for use by commercial traffic. In his…

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Favorite Photos from 2019
Sunrise in Fort Myers, waiting to catch the ferry to Key West.

Favorite Photos from 2019

One of my hobbies is snapping photos as I take long walks around New York City ... and this year, in Chicago, Philadelphia, Memphis, and Florida as well. These are…

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Central Park’s Reservoirs and Great Lawn
Original reservoir, 1842. Image: New York Public Library

Central Park’s Reservoirs and Great Lawn

Imagine standing in the center of that large, open area behind the Metropolitan Museum of Art, taking a deep breath … and sucking in water. For more than two centuries,…

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Ladies Pavilion, Central Park

Jacob Wrey Mould, Ladies Pavilion, 1870 or 1871. Central Park. Photo copyright © 2019 Dianne L. Durante This delicate little pavilion is one of the few structures left to show…

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Jacob Wrey Mould’s Designs in Central Park

Jacob Wrey Mould (1825-1886) was a bit of a beast. George Templeton Strong, who admired him, called him “ugly and uncouth.” A leading architectural magazine labeled him “brilliant, accomplished, ingenious,…

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Favorite Photos of 2018
Saks Fifth Avenue facade, December 2018. Photo copyright © 2018 Dianne L. Durante

Favorite Photos of 2018

One of my hobbies is snapping photos as I take long walks around New York City. These are my favorites from 2018. All are copyright © 2018 Dianne L. Durante.…

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Brooklyn & Manhattan Bridges, Dawn

Every year my husband and I do an excursion to watch sunrise from the east end of the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges.  Since that means arriving at least half an…

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Capitalist Christmas 2018

This site is usually dedicated to art that’s inspiring, thought-provoking, skillfully executed, and/or breathtakingly beautiful ... and once a year, I stretch that to include the fabulous decorations, clothing, and jewelry…

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