Twenty-Five Years After 9/11: The $110 Million Art Collection Destroyed at the World Trade Center
The attacks on September 11, 2001, resulted in an estimated loss of $110 million in artwork at the World Trade Center. Public sculptures and murals contributed about $10 million to this total, while private collections accounted for over $100 million. Curated by Saul Wenegrat, Austin J. Tobin Plaza displayed Alexander Calder's Bent Propeller, of which only 40% was salvaged. Works by Joan Miró, Josep Royo, Louise Nevelson, James Rosati, Masayuki Nagare, and Elyn Zimmerman were lost. Rodin sculptures from Cantor Fitzgerald's offices were discovered in fragments at Fresh Kills landfill. Unfinished pieces from the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council's residency were also destroyed, and 5 World Trade Center contained 40,000 negatives by Jacques Lowe. The basement of 6 World Trade Center held nearly a million artifacts, with only Fritz Koenig's Sphere remaining intact.
Key facts
- The September 11, 2001 attacks destroyed an estimated $110 million in art at the World Trade Center.
- Public sculpture and murals accounted for about $10 million of the loss; private collections held over $100 million.
- Alexander Calder's Bent Propeller (1971) stood on Austin J. Tobin Plaza; only about 40% was recovered.
- Joan Miró and Josep Royo's tapestry (1974) in the South Tower lobby measured 20 by 35 feet and weighed over four tons.
- Masayuki Nagare's Cloud Fortress survived the initial collapse but was destroyed by heavy machinery during recovery.
- Cantor Fitzgerald, on North Tower floors 101–105, lost 658 employees and housed Rodin sculptures and drawings, including a cast of The Thinker.
- A vault at 5 World Trade Center held roughly 40,000 negatives by Jacques Lowe, John F. Kennedy's personal photographer.
- Fritz Koenig's Sphere survived largely intact and now stands unrestored in Liberty Park.
Entities
Artists
- Alexander Calder
- Joan Miró
- Josep Royo
- Louise Nevelson
- James Rosati
- Masayuki Nagare
- Elyn Zimmerman
- Auguste Rodin
- Pablo Picasso
- Roy Lichtenstein
- Paul Klee
- Romare Bearden
- Michael Richards
- Jacques Lowe
- Fritz Koenig
- Saul Wenegrat
Institutions
- World Trade Center
- Port Authority
- Calder Foundation
- National September 11 Memorial and Museum
- Cantor Fitzgerald
- Lower Manhattan Cultural Council
- World Views
- Artlyst
- Fresh Kills landfill
- Five Points
- African Burial Ground
- Liberty Park
Locations
- New York City
- United States
- Staten Island
- Brooklyn
- Austin J. Tobin Plaza
- North Tower
- South Tower
- 7 World Trade Centre
- 5 World Trade Centre
- 6 World Trade Centre