Curatorial Narrative The Cathedrals of Wall Street by Florine Stettheimer, created in 1939, embodies the quintessential spirit of American Realism infused with symbolic elements. Executed in an impasto style, characterized by thick layers of paint, this painting exudes a tactile quality that invites the viewer to contemplate its surfaces. The use of gold, white, red, blue, and cream hues creates a dynamic chromatic structure, imbuing the work with an air of opulence, yet tempered by Stettheimer’s Modernist sensibilities. The Art Deco motifs woven throughout the composition serve as a poignant reminder of the era’s cultural and economic ascendancy.As this painting is enlarged to 44×52 inches, its architectural scale behavior becomes even more pronounced. The palette’s interplay with spatial depth creates an almost palpable atmospheric weight, which in turn influences the luxury interior environment in profound ways. The golden hues,