"One of the largest and most beguiling works of art on the entire continent." Brendan Gill, March 1989, Architectural Digest

Opus 40 is a monumental environmental sculpture set in a former bluestone quarry in Saugerties, New York. The sculpture is made of thousands upon thousands of bluestone pieces that form a puzzle of terraces, stairs, ramps, pathways and moat-like passageways, all centered on a 9-ton, 14-foot-tall monolith. The sculpture is beautifully surrounded by landscaped grounds, with the famous Overlook Mountain serving as a stunning backdrop.

The entire sculpture is the work of one man, Harvey Fite (1903-1976), a sculptor and professor at Bard College. Fite purchased the property, an abandoned quarry, in 1938 from the widow of the last quarry master. When Fite began working on the property, it was originally intended to be a location to display his various wood and stone sculptures. Over time, however, the entire location itself became the work of art. Fite continued to work on Opus 40 until 1976, a lifetime of work and dedication. Fittingly, the name Opus is Latin for “work” while 40 is the number jokingly chosen by Fite because that is how long he thought it would take him to finish the sculpture. Fite died in 1976 at the age of 72 in an unfortunate accident while working on the property.

The technique that Fite used in constructing Opus 40 “is an ancient method called ‘dry keying,’ which relies on the careful fitting of stone upon stone, and the pressure of the mass, for its stability. The ‘keys’ are large stones placed at intervals throughout the wall, which support and are held in place by the smaller surrounding stones. There is no mortar or cement anywhere in the construction; as a result, it is not susceptible to the ravages of erosion.”

The Opus 40 grounds include Fite’s home and two workshop buildings. The second story of one of the workshop buildings would become the Quarryman’s Museum, which displays a collection of quarryman’s tools and artifacts. Three of Fite’s sculptures, titled Flame, Tomorrow and Quarry Family, are located on the adjoining grounds.

The 6.5-acre Opus 40 property remains an enduring tribute to the history of bluestone, the durable, resilient and beautiful stone whose trade once dominated Catskills industry. The Opus 40 property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places “as one of New York State’s most significant examples of environmental art.”

Opus 40 is open for visits and hosts a wide range of special events including concerts, movies, classes, workshops, nature walks, guided tours and much more.

For more information about the history of Opus 40, current events and for visiting information, visit their website at www.opus40.org.

Opus 40

Opus 40Opus 40 is a monumental and unique environmental sculpture set in an abandoned bluestone quarry in Saugerties, New York. The sculpture is made of thousands upon thousands of bluestone pieces that form a puzzle of terraces, stairs, ramps, pathways and moat-like passageways, all centered on a 9-ton, 14-foot-tall monolith. The sculpture is beautifully surrounded by landscaped grounds, with the famous Overlook Mountain serving as a stunning backdrop.

Nine Tons Nine TonsOpus 40 is a monumental and unique environmental sculpture set in an abandoned bluestone quarry in Saugerties, New York. The sculpture is made of thousands upon thousands of bluestone pieces that form a puzzle of terraces, stairs, ramps, pathways and moat-like passageways, all centered on a 9-ton, 14-foot-tall monolith. The sculpture is beautifully surrounded by landscaped grounds, with the famous Overlook Mountain serving as a stunning backdrop.

The Work of One Man The Work of One ManOpus 40 is a monumental and unique environmental sculpture set in an abandoned bluestone quarry in Saugerties, New York. The sculpture is made of thousands upon thousands of bluestone pieces that form a puzzle of terraces, stairs, ramps, pathways and moat-like passageways, all centered on a 9-ton, 14-foot-tall monolith. The sculpture is beautifully surrounded by landscaped grounds, with the famous Overlook Mountain serving as a stunning backdrop.

An Ode to Bluestone

An Ode to BluestoneOpus 40 is a monumental and unique environmental sculpture set in an abandoned bluestone quarry in Saugerties, New York. The sculpture is made of thousands upon thousands of bluestone pieces that form a puzzle of terraces, stairs, ramps, pathways and moat-like passageways, all centered on a 9-ton, 14-foot-tall monolith. The sculpture is beautifully surrounded by landscaped grounds, with the famous Overlook Mountain serving as a stunning backdrop.

Pathway

PathwayOpus 40 is a monumental and unique environmental sculpture set in an abandoned bluestone quarry in Saugerties, New York. The sculpture is made of thousands upon thousands of bluestone pieces that form a puzzle of terraces, stairs, ramps, pathways and moat-like passageways, all centered on a 9-ton, 14-foot-tall monolith. The sculpture is beautifully surrounded by landscaped grounds, with the famous Overlook Mountain serving as a stunning backdrop.

Passageway PassagewayOpus 40 is a monumental and unique environmental sculpture set in an abandoned bluestone quarry in Saugerties, New York. The sculpture is made of thousands upon thousands of bluestone pieces that form a puzzle of terraces, stairs, ramps, pathways and moat-like passageways, all centered on a 9-ton, 14-foot-tall monolith. The sculpture is beautifully surrounded by landscaped grounds, with the famous Overlook Mountain serving as a stunning backdrop.

Around the Corner Around the CornerOpus 40 is a monumental and unique environmental sculpture set in an abandoned bluestone quarry in Saugerties, New York. The sculpture is made of thousands upon thousands of bluestone pieces that form a puzzle of terraces, stairs, ramps, pathways and moat-like passageways, all centered on a 9-ton, 14-foot-tall monolith. The sculpture is beautifully surrounded by landscaped grounds, with the famous Overlook Mountain serving as a stunning backdrop.

Stairs

StairsOpus 40 is a monumental and unique environmental sculpture set in an abandoned bluestone quarry in Saugerties, New York. The sculpture is made of thousands upon thousands of bluestone pieces that form a puzzle of terraces, stairs, ramps, pathways and moat-like passageways, all centered on a 9-ton, 14-foot-tall monolith. The sculpture is beautifully surrounded by landscaped grounds, with the famous Overlook Mountain serving as a stunning backdrop.

Walls WallsOpus 40 is a monumental and unique environmental sculpture set in an abandoned bluestone quarry in Saugerties, New York. The sculpture is made of thousands upon thousands of bluestone pieces that form a puzzle of terraces, stairs, ramps, pathways and moat-like passageways, all centered on a 9-ton, 14-foot-tall monolith. The sculpture is beautifully surrounded by landscaped grounds, with the famous Overlook Mountain serving as a stunning backdrop.

Dry Keying Dry KeyingOpus 40 is a monumental and unique environmental sculpture set in an abandoned bluestone quarry in Saugerties, New York. The sculpture is made of thousands upon thousands of bluestone pieces that form a puzzle of terraces, stairs, ramps, pathways and moat-like passageways, all centered on a 9-ton, 14-foot-tall monolith. The sculpture is beautifully surrounded by landscaped grounds, with the famous Overlook Mountain serving as a stunning backdrop.

Stone Upon Stone

Stone Upon StoneOpus 40 is a monumental and unique environmental sculpture set in an abandoned bluestone quarry in Saugerties, New York. The sculpture is made of thousands upon thousands of bluestone pieces that form a puzzle of terraces, stairs, ramps, pathways and moat-like passageways, all centered on a 9-ton, 14-foot-tall monolith. The sculpture is beautifully surrounded by landscaped grounds, with the famous Overlook Mountain serving as a stunning backdrop.

Quarryman's Museum

Quarryman's MuseumOpus 40 is a monumental and unique environmental sculpture set in an abandoned bluestone quarry in Saugerties, New York. The sculpture is made of thousands upon thousands of bluestone pieces that form a puzzle of terraces, stairs, ramps, pathways and moat-like passageways, all centered on a 9-ton, 14-foot-tall monolith. The sculpture is beautifully surrounded by landscaped grounds, with the famous Overlook Mountain serving as a stunning backdrop.

Quarry Family

Quarry FamilyOpus 40 is a monumental and unique environmental sculpture set in an abandoned bluestone quarry in Saugerties, New York. The sculpture is made of thousands upon thousands of bluestone pieces that form a puzzle of terraces, stairs, ramps, pathways and moat-like passageways, all centered on a 9-ton, 14-foot-tall monolith. The sculpture is beautifully surrounded by landscaped grounds, with the famous Overlook Mountain serving as a stunning backdrop.

Woman

WomanOpus 40 is a monumental and unique environmental sculpture set in an abandoned bluestone quarry in Saugerties, New York. The sculpture is made of thousands upon thousands of bluestone pieces that form a puzzle of terraces, stairs, ramps, pathways and moat-like passageways, all centered on a 9-ton, 14-foot-tall monolith. The sculpture is beautifully surrounded by landscaped grounds, with the famous Overlook Mountain serving as a stunning backdrop.