The Art of Skyscrapers

In some of Charles Sheeler’s work, he captures skyscrapers. However, his work with skyscrapers and other architecture is primarily characterized by the precisionism movement, which captures the formal qualities of structures. Sheeler's appreciation for architecture came from his photography work which was primarily for documentation purposes, to which he said "Their builders weren’t building a work of art. If it’s beautiful to some of us afterward, it’s beautiful because it functioned". Additionally, during this same period, Sheeler collaborated with photographer Paul Strand in the creation of the short Film "Manhatta". Overall Sheeler's appreciation for architecture stemmed from previous work that grew into a passion.