song · in a sentimental mood, composed by duke ellington and recorded here with john coltrane, conjures both sentimentality and appeasement. according to ellington, the song was originally assembled as a conflict resolution tactic.

images · iconic jazz photographer william gottlieb captures the golden era of jazz—including shots of ellington—around new york city from 52nd street to moma.

collage · cutouts from henri matisse’s book jazz which was inspired by his time in new york during the thirties.

words i · from matisse’s book of thoughts and cutouts, jazz.

words ii · d.h. lawrence on his cynical interpretation of sentimentalism.

sculpture · british-born henry moore made his moma debut during the height of the jazz era with his biomorphic, almost rhythmic wooden sculptures. if you look closely, you’ll see his reclining figure captured by gottlieb at moma.