Finis Coronat Opus

Finis Coronat Opus

The Brooklyn Bridge

On the day of the grand opening of the Brooklyn Bridge, The Daily Graphic released this edition of the magazine. In the picture, the bridge rises high into the sky. It is so large that the city behind it looks flat. On the bridge stand two women, who symbolize Brooklyn and Manhattan. They are shaking hands as they meet for the first time because the Brooklyn Bridge was the first solid foundation that connected the two islands. Above them reads the sign “Finis Coronat Opus.” This Latin terms means, “The end crowns the work,” or a work of art cannot be fully appreciated until it is complete. Again, the bridge is refereed to as a work of art. The bridge is also depicted in a heavenly manner, with the skies opening up and two angels on either side of the banner. Martin’s hotels in Martin Dressler are made with the inspiration of the Brooklyn Bridge. Martin intended for them to be out of this world the same way the Brooklyn Bridge. People would marvel at the hotels the same way they would marvel at the bridge.

The Daily Graphic

Irma and Paul Milstein Division of United States History, Local History and Genealogy, The New York Public Library. "A union of hearts and a union of hands." The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1873 - 1889. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/b0efaae4-86cd-d4b2-e040-e00a18064fa5

The Daily Graphic

May 1883

Jessa Laspesa