Lee Lawrie’s own writing offers a direct account of his ideas about architectural sculpture. This selection includes an archival statement alongside pages from his 1934 monograph, Modern Mural Sculpture.

A Library of Congress typescript lists major commissions including the National Academy of Sciences, Los Angeles Public Library, Rockefeller Center, St. Thomas Church, Christ Church Cranbrook and the Fidelity Mutual Life Insurance Building.

Perhaps no art can be produced by theories. I am sure architectural sculpture cannot be. Every problem is different. Certainly long practice helps develop an understanding of the solutions—I doubt if it can be taught. Most architectural sculpture is done in relief—usually in high relief. It must not look applied. It is more successful, usually if carved in place on the building. In a collaboration between the architect and the sculptor it is determined in advance the size of the blocks the sculpture will require and these blocks are laid as the construction proceeds and the sculpture is carved from them on the building.

Lawrie’s archives
Continue exploring