Australian-born Martin Lewis’ “Stoops in the Snow” dates to 1930—and it perfectly balances the still beauty of a New York snowfall with the miserable struggle that ensues while trying to navigate it.
This scene could depict almost any residential New York block, with its uniform brownstone steps and elevated train platform in the distance.
Luckily Lewis’ original title for the etching, “Stoops in the Snow, West 40s,” narrows down the neighborhood for us.
Lewis tends to keep the locations of his etchings vague, as he did with this piece depicting a busy workday morning somewhere in the city.
Tags: artists in New York City, etchings of New York City, Martin Lewis, Martin Lewis Stoops in the Snow, New York in 1930, New York street, New York tenement 40s, snow on New York Streets
Ephemeral New York 
February 4, 2013 at 10:26 am |
I’ve loved his work ever since you first presented it to us years ago. In his paintings I see more life throbbing and aching in this aching city, which looks like its either going to off work or tiredly shuffling back home. New York is always alive even when it’s too tired and stuck in the snowbound streets. Love his work!
February 4, 2013 at 3:52 pm |
Me too. Every one I come across bursts with enchantment and danger.
December 30, 2013 at 6:59 am |
[…] More of Martin Lewis’ wonderful etchings of New York in the 1920s and 1930s can be found here. […]