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The Best Second Avenue Subway Art

2/3/2017Updated 11/5/2018

The Second Avenue Subway had become almost a myth to New Yorkers—a long-promised public-transit improvement in the works for so long (since 1919!) that it seemed it might never come. Now that it’s here, the line is doing more than making it easier to get around on the east side. It’s also generating buzz as the site of some of the City’s most beautiful new public art. Read on to see some of our favorite pieces.

“Subway Portraits,” Chuck Close, 86th Street Station

Photo: Julienne Schaer

“Subway Portraits,” Chuck Close, 86th Street Station

“Perfect Strangers,” Vik Muniz, 72nd Street Station

Photo: Julienne Schaer

“Perfect Strangers,” Vik Muniz, 72nd Street Station

“Perfect Strangers,” Vik Muniz, 72nd Street Station

Photo: Julienne Schaer

“Perfect Strangers,” Vik Muniz, 72nd Street Station

“Subway Portraits,” Chuck Close, 86th Street Station

Photo: Julienne Schaer

“Subway Portraits,” Chuck Close, 86th Street Station

“Subway Portraits,” Chuck Close, 86th Street Station

Photo: Tagger Yancey IV

“Subway Portraits,” Chuck Close, 86th Street Station

“Subway Portraits,” Chuck Close, 86th Street Station

Photo: Julienne Schaer

“Subway Portraits,” Chuck Close, 86th Street Station

“Perfect Strangers,” Vik Muniz, 72nd Street Station

Photo: Tagger Yancey IV

“Perfect Strangers,” Vik Muniz, 72nd Street Station

“Perfect Strangers,” Vik Muniz, 72nd Street Station

Photo: Julienne Schaer

“Perfect Strangers,” Vik Muniz, 72nd Street Station

“Perfect Strangers,” Vik Muniz, 72nd Street Station

Photo: Tagger Yancey IV

“Perfect Strangers,” Vik Muniz, 72nd Street Station

“Perfect Strangers,” Vik Muniz, 72nd Street Station

Photo: Tagger Yancey IV

“Perfect Strangers,” Vik Muniz, 72nd Street Station

“Subway Portraits,” Chuck Close, 86th Street Station

Photo: Tagger Yancey IV

“Subway Portraits,” Chuck Close, 86th Street Station

“Blueprint for a Landscape,” Sarah Sze, 96th Street Station

Photo: Julienne Schaer

“Blueprint for a Landscape,” Sarah Sze, 96th Street Station

“Blueprint for a Landscape,” Sarah Sze, 96th Street Station

Photo: Tagger Yancey IV

“Blueprint for a Landscape,” Sarah Sze, 96th Street Station