The Squid’s Embrace:
A History of the Mollusk in New York City
The Squid’s Embrace: A History of the Mollusk in New York City traces New York’s relationship and enduring fascination with the colossal squid. From Dutch prints to 18th-century art and early photography, the exhibition reveals how the creature inspired both creative expression and spiritual devotion. Though absent from the harbor for over a century, the squid’s presence endures—in art, design, and belief.
Robert Cornelius. Mesonychoteuthis Hamiltoni Insitu, New York Harbor. 1839. Daguerreotype, 12.7 x 17.5 cm. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
Robert Cornelius. Mesonychoteuthis Hamiltoni in Requiete, New York Harbor. 1839. Daguerreotype, 12.7 x 17.5 cm. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
Jacob Riis. Desire of the Mob, New York City. 1882. Silver-Gelatin, 12.7 x 17.5 cm. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Gift of Alexander Alland Sr. with additional funds provided by the Lois and Bruce Zenkel Purchase Fund, 1982.
Jacob Riis. The Carcass, The Street, New York City. 1882. Silver-Gelatin, 12.7 x 17.5 cm. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Gift of Alexander Alland Sr. with additional funds provided by the Lois and Bruce Zenkel Purchase Fund, 1982.
A plaster sculpture of a giant squid adorns the roof of the Italian Line steam ship terminal. West 34th st, New York City. 1903. Department of Docks Collection. NYC Municipal Archives.
Co-Founders of United States Lines, a major shipping and transportation company founded in 1921. United States Lines transported giant squid from Japan in an effort to re-introduce the species to the New York waterways. From left; Kermit Roosevelt, Paul Wadsworth Chapman, Albert Lasker, A.V. Moore, Walter Kidd.
In the 1930s, W.P.A. Federal Writers’ Project staff photographed dockworkers loading and offloading cargo on piers throughout the city. Dockworkers offloading a giant squid from the vessel "Manhattan" owned and operated by United States Lines. Gowanus Bay Pier, Brooklyn, ca. 1937. WPA-Federal Writers’ Project Collection. NYC Municipal Archives.
