Friday, September 14, 2018

Reflections on Henri Bendel's closing

Reflections on Fifth III (Bendel's)
Oil on canvas
18x24
1999
Sold


While listening to the news this morning I heard that 123-year old Henri Bendel's is closing up shop, no longer able to survive in today's retail climate. Back in the 1990's, when I had begun working on reflection paintings, I was taken with a store display in Bendel's window on Fifth Avenue and subsequently painted this scene. The store brightened up Fifth Avenue with some wonderful window displays over the years. I wonder if there will be yet another empty storefront come January like so many throughout the city. The building is noted for it's Lalique windows and has landmark status. For an interesting article on this building's history check out this link.