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.

The first Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center took place in December 1931 during the construction of the complex. It wasn’t an official event as we know it today but rather a spontaneous act by construction workers.

• The tree was a 20-foot balsam fir decorated with handmade garlands and strings of cranberries, tin cans, and even paper. It was a modest gesture of holiday spirit during the depths of the Great Depression.

The first official tree lighting ceremony, complete with organized festivities, occurred in December 1933. That year, the event featured a 50-foot tree and marked the beginning of an annual holiday tradition.

Today, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting is a globally recognized event, drawing crowds and television audiences to celebrate the season.

Rockefeller Center is an iconic example of innovative urban design and construction, blending Art Deco aesthetics with practical functionality. Daniel Okrent's book, Great Fortune: The Epic of Rockefeller Center, offers a detailed exploration of its unique characteristics, shedding light on its ambitious vision and execution. Here are some standout features:

1. Art Deco Architecture

• The design of Rockefeller Center epitomizes the sleek, geometric elegance of the Art Deco movement. Okrent highlights the creative use of vertical lines, setbacks, and ornamentation to create a sense of upward movement and grandeur. The use of limestone cladding and stainless steel accents further emphasizes the clean, modern aesthetic.

2. Integrated Urban Complex

• Rockefeller Center was one of the first developments to integrate multiple commercial, cultural, and recreational functions into a cohesive urban complex. As Okrent describes, it features interconnected buildings designed around a central plaza, creating a "city within a city" that supports both pedestrian and vehicular flow.

3. Innovative Construction Techniques

• Okrent details the extraordinary engineering feats required to build Rockefeller Center during the Great Depression. Techniques such as precision steel frame construction and the use of modular limestone panels allowed for rapid and efficient building while ensuring structural integrity.

4. Public Art and Design Integration

• The complex incorporates significant public art, such as sculptures, frescoes, and bas-reliefs, reflecting progress, culture, and industry themes. Notable works include Paul Manship's Prometheus statue and Diego Rivera's (later replaced) murals, which Okrent describes as part of a broader cultural vision by John D. Rockefeller Jr. to merge art and commerce.

5. Underground Concourse and Transportation Integration

• A key innovation was the inclusion of an underground concourse, which connected the buildings and provided easy access to public transit. Okrent highlights this as an early example of designing urban spaces with accessibility and functionality in mind.

6. Seasonal Features and Iconic Attractions

• The Rockefeller Plaza, home to the annual Christmas Tree Lighting and the ice-skating rink, was conceived as a dynamic, multi-use public space. Okrent notes that these features were not originally part of the plan but evolved as ways to make the space more inviting and profitable.

Okrent’s book emphasizes that Rockefeller Center is an architectural masterpiece and a symbol of resilience, completed during one of America's most challenging economic periods. Its design and construction remain a benchmark for urban planning and architectural ingenuity.