Lee Lawrie (1877–1963) was one of America’s foremost architectural sculptors, best known for his contributions to the Art Deco movement and his iconic works at Rockefeller Center.
His career spanned over five decades.
Early Life and Education
Birth: Lee Lawrie was born on October 16, 1877, in Rixdorf (now part of Berlin), Germany.
Immigration: He immigrated to the United States with his family at five, settling in Chicago.
Early Apprenticeship: At just 14, he began his career as an apprentice to Richard Morris Hunt, the first American-born architect to study at the École des Beaux-Arts. Lawrie worked on sculptural details for Hunt's projects, such as the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina.
Artistic Development
Lawrie later worked with prominent architects and sculptors, including Augustus Saint-Gaudens, one of the leading figures in American sculpture.
Lawrie had a long-standing partnership with architect Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, contributing sculptural designs to many of Goodhue's projects, including the Nebraska State Capitol and the Los Angeles Public Library.
The Nebraska State Capitol (completed 1932) features some of his most significant work, blending Art Deco and Gothic Revival styles.
Rockefeller Center:
Lawrie's most famous work is the Atlas statue at Rockefeller Center in New York City (1937). This massive bronze sculpture epitomizes the Art Deco aesthetic and symbolizes strength and endurance.
He also contributed to other Rockefeller Center artworks, including the reliefs adorning the entrance to the GE Building (now 30 Rockefeller Plaza).
Lawrie created intricate sculptures for the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C., emphasizing themes of knowledge, discovery, and progress.
United States Senate Chamber:
His decorative work in the Senate Chamber of the Nebraska State Capitol features allegorical figures representing virtues and ideals.
Atlas (1937) - Rockefeller Center, New York City.
Sculptures for the Nebraska State Capitol, Lincoln, Nebraska.
Relief panels for the Los Angeles Public Library, Los Angeles, California.
Sculptures at the National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D.C.
Decorative panels for the GE Building, Rockefeller Center, New York City.
