A Harmony of the Arts: The Nebraska State Capitol (Great Plains Photography)
by Frederick C. Luebke
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Description
Since its completion in 1932, the Nebraska State Capitol has been widely recognized as an architectural masterpiece, one that justifiably inspires pride in the citizens of the state and admiration in people everywhere. Rising four hundred feet from a massive two-story base, domed with gold-glazed tile and topped with a bronze statue of a pioneer sower of grain, it can be seen for miles on the plains. This most striking of statehouses, designed by Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue in 1920 and under show more construction for a decade, successfully embodies the union of art, architecture, and humanism. A Harmony of the Arts: The Nebraska State Capitol surveys in words and pictures the architectural achievement and the artists responsible for it. Frederick C. Luebke introduces the book with a history of the capitals and capitols of Nebraska. H. Keith Sawyers writes about Goodhue's architectural vision, which was carried out by other artists after his death. David Murphy examines the contribution of Hartley Burr Alexander, the philosopher and anthropologist who developed the symbological details of Goodhue's vision and invested the building's many inscriptions with poetic elegance. Dale L. Gibbs considers Lee Lawrie's sculpture, remarkably congruent with the general design. Joan Woodside and Betsy Gabb discuss the decorative art of the mosaicist, Hildreth Meiere. Norman Geske and Jon Nelson examine the capitol murals, painted by eight artists over four decades. And Robert C. Ripley allows the reader to see the building in its setting, as landscaped by Ernst Herminghaus. Lavishly illustrated and handsomely produced, A Harmony of the Arts presents the first survey in many years of Nebraska's magnificent capitol and offers new ways of looking at it. show lessTags
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From the Nebraska 150 list.
This book picks apart the different elements of the Nebraska State Capitol Building, a building I've often ridiculed for its obvious phallic design. After reading this book, though, I respect the building more...though I'm still not convinced the people who approved the design weren't a little dirty minded.
The first two chapters were genuinely intriguing; the other chapters I skimmed and still learned some interesting information. Most impressive throughout the whole book was the attention to detail at every piece of construction. The building itself seems like a museum of art, and I'm pretty sure it would take me a good 2-3 hours walking inside and around the building to see all the artistic elements. It show more also makes me wonder if all state capitol buildings have as much symbology embedded in their architectures. Makes me want to visit state capitol buildings across the country and find out. show less
This book picks apart the different elements of the Nebraska State Capitol Building, a building I've often ridiculed for its obvious phallic design. After reading this book, though, I respect the building more...though I'm still not convinced the people who approved the design weren't a little dirty minded.
The first two chapters were genuinely intriguing; the other chapters I skimmed and still learned some interesting information. Most impressive throughout the whole book was the attention to detail at every piece of construction. The building itself seems like a museum of art, and I'm pretty sure it would take me a good 2-3 hours walking inside and around the building to see all the artistic elements. It show more also makes me wonder if all state capitol buildings have as much symbology embedded in their architectures. Makes me want to visit state capitol buildings across the country and find out. show less
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Author Information
15 Works 115 Members
Frederick C. Luebke is Charles J. Mach Distinguished University Professor Emeritus in the Department of History at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. His books include Germans in Brazil: A Comparative History of Cultural Conflict and Bonds of Loyalty: German Americans and World War I.
Series
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Classifications
- Genres
- Art & Design, Nonfiction, Home & Garden, General Nonfiction, History
- DDC/MDS
- 725.11 — Arts & recreation Architecture Public structures Government Parliaments, Capitols
- LCC
- NA4413 .L56 .H37 — Fine Arts 2599.5-2599.9 Architectural criticism Architecture Special classes of buildings Classed by use Public buildings
- BISAC
Statistics
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- 25
- Popularity
- 1,038,245
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (3.67)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 2
