Vista de Zaragoza, 1953 by Leopoldo Mendez (1902-1969)

Vista de Zaragoza, 1953Leopoldo Mendez (1902-1969), Mexico City, Linoleum block print, original TGP stamp in red, signed in pencil17.5" x 21.5" paper sizeexcellent conditionBuilt in Spain in 1504, the 262-foot-tall Tower of Zaragoza began leaning soon after it was finished, likely because of its hasty construction. It kept tilting over time, and became one of the most famous leaning towers in Europe. By the 19th century, the tower’s tilt had become so alarming the city council had no choice but to attempt to fix it. Hoping to salvage this iconic piece of the city’s skyline, officials removed its triple spire in 1878. But this still wasn’t enough. In 1892, the tower was demolished in what was described as the “greatest artistic crime committed in Spain." Its bricks were recycled and used in the foundations of new buildings.Though the tower was demolished before Leopoldo Mendez was even born, this image reimagines what the skyline of Zaragoza, Spain must have been like before the tower