Flatiron from Madison Square Park

This painting is from a public domain photograph taken in the early 1900’s of the Flatiron Building in Manhattan from the perspective of Madison Square Park.  It features a unique New York skyscraper as viewed from in an urban landscape covered in snow.  The soft, warm light diffuses the overcast sky, the turn of the 20^th century lifestyle and a cold winter season.   The painting is representational, with some artistic license, done in the tonal style with a dash of color.  It captures the serenity and simplicity of an American past.  The Flatiron is the focal point.  Horse draw carriages line the streets.  Pedestrians walk through the park on a presumably recently shoveled path.  I can’t help but wonder, “what was it really like?”