The Bridge has been a source of general awe and artistic preoccupation since its construction, in part because of its lyrical arches and graceful span and the boldness and innovation of its construction, which took vast amounts of engineering prowess, time, money and even the lives of many to complete. It has been depicted by innumerable painters and photographers, including Berenice Abbott and Photo League photographer Alexander Alland, undergoing variegated personal and artistic translations, affording the structure its iconic status. The numerous artists who have chosen to tackle the Bridge as their subject, have helped to secure its emblematic status and give it a subliminal emotional resonance. These artists capture the Bridge--a symbol of New York City, the progressive and evolving metropolis--in such a way as to evoke a strong visceral response from their viewers, via the power of their focused realism. --Francesca Altamura