Two Lower Manhattan Wrapped Buildings (Project for 2 Exchange Place and State St. and Broadway, New York City)
Original offset lithograph with collage of map and pencil/crayon additions on paper • Christo and Jeanne-Claude (Hand-signed 'Christo')
Style & Movement
Contemporary Art / Environmental Art / Nouveau Réalisme
Medium & Technique
Offset lithograph with photogravure, hand-signed and annotated. The technique simulates Christo's preparatory architectural drawings using graphite, crayon, and technical drafting lines over a photographic base.
Creation Period
Produced circa 1980-1990 based on Christo's 1960s project concepts for New York City.
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 24 x 28 inches (frame size larger); landscape orientation with lower margin for map and signature.
Subject Description
The composition depicts a speculative environmental installation where two major skyscrapers in Lower Manhattan are shrouded in fabric and tied with ropes. It includes a city skyline, technical grid lines, and a street map of Manhattan at the bottom center to provide topographical context.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Fair. The print shows visible signs of surface age and environmental exposure.
Estimated Market Value
USD $2,500 - $4,500 (based on Printer's Proof status and market demand for Christo prints)
Auction Estimate
USD $2,000 - $3,500
Provenance History
The piece carries the artist's signature and the notation 'P.P. 9/10' (Printer's Proof), indicating it originated from the printer's personal archive or was gifted/sold from that collection.
Art Historical Significance
Christo's preparatory prints are vital to understanding his temporary large-scale works. They served both as visual manifestos for projects that were often never realized and as the primary funding mechanism for his environmental installations.
Notable Features
Marked 'P.P. 9/10' which makes it rarer than standard numbered editions. Features a printed map collage at the base, characteristic of the artist's architectural planning aesthetic.
Condition Issues
Visible water staining/moisture damage along the left edge and corner; slight yellowing of the paper; minor warping within the frame.
Conservation Recommendations
Immediate removal from current acidic matting and backing; cleaning by a paper conservator to address moisture stains; reframing with UV-protective glass and archival materials.