“City of Glass” (1993)

“City of Glass” (1993)

AP African American Studies Guide

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Topic 4.10

Romare Bearden, “City of Glass” (1993)

A color photograph of people at right foreground and left background going up a set of stairs; in the center background, a multicolored glass mosaic of a city skyline with an elevated train, and below a tile mosaic reading "TO UP TOWN AND DOWN TOWN TRAINS."


City of Glass (1993) © Romare Bearden, NYCT Westchester Sq–E Tremont Av. Commissioned by MTA Arts & Design. Photo: Rob Wilson.

Designed by Romare Bearden, whose career spanned from the New Negro movement of the Harlem Renaissance through the Black Arts Movement’s heyday, “City of Glass” skillfully weaves together the spirit found in his beloved music, social concerns, and interest in trains. Bearden created the proposal in 1982, with the work completed after his death. Learn more about this piece and view more photographs on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority website.