Marcus Chen
New York City is known for its pub culture and high-end restaurants, each oozing personality and charm. The city's murals, scattered in bars and restaurants, mansions, and civic buildings, have become part of the city's fabric. One of the most beloved murals is Maxfield Parrish's Old King Cole, which sits above the bar of The St. Regis New York. Parrish, an American painter and illustrator, was known for his distinctive saturated hues and idealized neo-classical imagery. His signature use of lapis lazuli in its purest form was so powerful that a certain cobalt blue became known as Parrish Blue.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Painting | Old King Cole |
| Artist | Maxfield Parrish |
| Year | 1906 |
| Medium | Oil paint |
| Style | Neo-classical |
| Subject | King Cole from the nursery rhyme |
| Location | The St. Regis New York |
| Previous Location | The Knickerbocker Hotel |
| Address | 2 East 55th Street, Manhattan |
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What You'll Learn
- Maxfield Parrish's Old King Cole painting at The St. Regis New York
- Howard Chandler Christy's mural at Café des Artistes
- Sol Lewitt's Wall Drawing No 896, Colors/Curves at 20 Rockefeller Plaza
- Edward Sorel's mural at Waverly Inn, Greenwich Village
- Frevo, a restaurant hidden behind a painting in an art gallery in Greenwich Village
Maxfield Parrish's Old King Cole painting at The St. Regis New York
The St. Regis New York is home to Maxfield Parrish's Old King Cole mural, which sits above the bar of the hotel's King Cole Bar and Salon. The mural was originally commissioned by Colonel John Jacob Astor IV in 1906 as an adornment for his Knickerbocker Hotel, located at the southeast corner of Broadway and 42nd Street.
Parrish, a young artist at the time, was offered a generous fee of $5,000 to paint the mural, but there were several conditions attached to the commission. Firstly, the subject of the painting had to be Old King Cole, and secondly, while Parrish had complete artistic freedom in how he depicted the nursery rhyme character, he had to use Astor as the model for King Cole's face. Parrish's conservative Quaker upbringing made him reluctant to paint a mural for a bar, but he eventually accepted the commission.
The Old King Cole mural is composed of three 8 feet x 10 feet panels, featuring the king in the centre, flanked by jesters and guards. When it was installed at the Knickerbocker Hotel in 1906, it instantly became a part of the city's fabric and was celebrated by generations of New Yorkers and global hotel guests. F. Scott Fitzgerald even referenced the mural in his novel, "This Side of Paradise".
In the mid-1930s, after the Knickerbocker Hotel was converted into an office building, the mural found its permanent residence at The St. Regis New York. It underwent a $100,000 restoration in 2015 and remains a beloved attraction in the city.
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Howard Chandler Christy's mural at Café des Artistes
The Café des Artistes, a restaurant on West 67th Street in New York, features murals by American illustrator Howard Chandler Christy. Christy (1872-1952) is known for his contributions to illustration during the Spanish-American War, his creation of the 'Christy Girl', and his patriotic poster designs for World War I.
In 1934, Christy began painting murals for the Café des Artistes, which was then a struggling restaurant in the midst of the Great Depression. Christy's murals depict nude women disporting themselves under silvan bowers and rilling waters. These paintings would have been difficult to reproduce in general-interest magazines at the time, where much of Christy's work appeared. They may have been Christy's way of asserting the louche, bohemian air of the Café des Artistes and the studio cooperative it served, as well as his adoration of women.
The Café des Artistes still retains its pre-World War II atmosphere, with dark wooden panelling and abundant flowers mediating between the woodwork and the brilliant palette of the paintings. The restaurant has been described as having the hushed atmosphere of an unusually well-maintained yet comfortable and unpretentious club.
Christy's murals at the Café des Artistes are a testament to his talent and unique style, and they continue to delight patrons of the restaurant even today.
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Sol Lewitt's Wall Drawing No 896, Colors/Curves at 20 Rockefeller Plaza
Sol Lewitt's Wall Drawing No 896, Colors/Curves is a towering mural that soars three stories inside the entrance to 20 Rockefeller Plaza. The mural was created by the conceptual artist Sol LeWitt and is the first to be installed in the original complex of buildings at Rockefeller Center since 1946. The work is characterised by its intense colours and glossy finish, which give it a distinctive wet look.
To achieve this effect, the walls had to be carefully prepared, a process that was described as the "hardest part of the job". A team of four painters then worked for three weeks, six days a week, painting, sanding and varnishing to complete the mural. The result is a smooth, curving work of art that appears to envelop the entrance to Christie's new American headquarters.
The creation of Wall Drawing No 896, Colors/Curves was not without its challenges. Projects of this size often present problems, even with careful planning. However, the final work is a testament to the skill and perseverance of Sol LeWitt and his team.
Sol LeWitt was a conceptual artist known for his large-scale wall drawings and sculptures. His works often involved meticulous planning and preparation, and he frequently collaborated with a team of assistants to bring his visions to life. LeWitt's artistic process often involved setting up a set of guidelines or instructions, which he would then execute with precision and attention to detail.
In addition to Sol LeWitt's mural at 20 Rockefeller Plaza, New York City is also home to a number of other notable murals and paintings, including those by Maxfield Parrish. One of the most beloved is Parrish's "Old King Cole", which sits above the bar of The St. Regis New York. The painting, commissioned by John Jacob Astor IV, has become an iconic part of the city's fabric and has undergone careful restoration to preserve its brilliance.
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Edward Sorel's mural at Waverly Inn, Greenwich Village
The Waverly Inn in Greenwich Village, New York City, has been a landmark since the 1920s. In 2006, Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter bought and refurbished the restaurant, turning it into one of the city's most sought-after destinations. Illustrator Edward Sorel was commissioned to create a mural that celebrated notable residents of Greenwich Village. Sorel's mural depicts an outdoor scene filled with 43 caricatures in illuminating and hilarious poses.
The painting includes a naked Norman Mailer admiring his reflection in a pond, Dylan Thomas sitting on a rock with a beer and a cigarette, and Walt Whitman being attacked by a butterfly. Sorel's work also features Djuna Barnes, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Jackson Pollock, James Baldwin, Thelonius Monk, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Andy Warhol, Fran Lebowitz, Margaret Sanger, and Marlon Brando, among many others.
Sorel, a renowned illustrator and caricaturist for the New Yorker, brings the walls of the Waverly Inn to life with his signature style. His caricatures are expressive and colourful, often depicting celebrated figures from popular culture. Sorel's playful style adds to the allure of the restaurant, making it a visual treat for its patrons and a nod to the city's rich culture and character.
The Waverly Inn's mural is not Sorel's only work in New York City restaurants. He also created murals for the Monkey Bar, located just a block away from Central Park, and Caravaggio, an iconic modern Italian restaurant.
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Frevo, a restaurant hidden behind a painting in an art gallery in Greenwich Village
New York City is known for its secrets, from clandestine cocktail bars to hidden gardens and exclusive parties. One of the city's best-kept secrets is Frevo, a contemporary restaurant hidden behind a painting in an art gallery in Greenwich Village. The name Frevo comes from the Portuguese word "to boil", reflecting the bubbling spirit and energy of New York City.
Frevo offers a unique dining experience that feels like a dinner party. Vanishing behind the painting and entering the secluded, warmly lit restaurant is like stepping into a fantasy film or novel. The restaurant welcomes guests with a glass of Champagne, perfectly paired with a palate-opening amuse-bouche, such as an artichoke-stuffed arancini ball kissed with truffle and parmesan.
While Frevo may be New York's best-kept secret, the city is also home to other restaurants with hidden gems, such as the historic Ye Waverly Inn in Greenwich Village, which was transformed into a popular celebrity-filled restaurant by Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter and his partners. They kept many original fixtures but also commissioned illustrator Edward Sorel to create a mural celebrating notable residents of Greenwich Village.
Another iconic New York restaurant with a unique artistic touch is the King Cole Bar at The St. Regis New York, which features Maxfield Parrish's beloved Old King Cole painting above the bar. The painting has become an iconic part of the city's fabric, with residents developing emotional attachments to it over time.
New York City's restaurants, bars, and galleries never cease to surprise and delight, offering magical experiences that transport visitors to another world, whether it's through a hidden painting, a stunning mural, or a perfectly crafted meal.
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Frequently asked questions
The St. Regis New York has a beloved painting by Maxfield Parrish called Old King Cole, which sits above the bar.
Old King Cole is the subject of the painting.
The painting is located above the bar of the King Cole Bar and Salon at The St. Regis New York.
John Jacob Astor IV commissioned the painting, which was restored for $100,000 before being rehung in its place of honour.
Maxfield Parrish was an American painter and illustrator known for his distinctive saturated hues and idealized neo-classical imagery. His signature use of cobalt blue, known as "Parrish Blue," and lush colouristic effects with extraordinary detail made his work popular.
