Identifying artwork on old High School?

m715 · September 29th, 2011, 05:10 AM

Name: carshow022.jpg
Views: 83
Size: 180.9 KB

Hello, I'm trying to identify art work found on the High School I attended in the late 70's. It's either carved or cast cement and found over two main entrances. They are identical, as far as I can tell, and are of about 1 1/2 x 4 foot size. The school is in a very small west Kansas town and built in 20's or 30's I think. Any info would be appreciated. My uneducated guess is some type of masonic origin but they don't seem to resemble other masonic art I can find on the web. Thanks for your time, Ed J.

John · September 29th, 2011, 10:03 AM

Well at first glance it reminds me of the work of Lee Lawrie, specifically some of his friezes at Rockefeller Center. His "Wisdom" even includes protractors as a symbol of knowledge, as this piece seems to. I imagine that Lawrie's work was inspired by William Blake's God an an Architect.

BTW, is the school football team named the Rams by any chance?

m715 · September 30th, 2011, 11:50 PM

No, I don't think it's mascot was ever a Ram, but is a Cougar and before unification an Eagle I believe. I've looked up the artwork you mentioned and I do see the resemblence but keep thinking it's Masonic. The Masonic lodge did have a big following in a neighboring town....but then again I'm uneducated in artwork.

September 29th, 2011, 05:10 AM	#1
m715 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Central KS Posts: 2	Identifying artwork on old High School? Hello, I'm trying to identify art work found on the High School I attended in the late 70's. It's either carved or cast cement and found over two main entrances. They are identical, as far as I can tell, and are of about 1 1/2 x 4 foot size. The school is in a very small west Kansas town and built in 20's or 30's I think. Any info would be appreciated. My uneducated guess is some type of masonic origin but they don't seem to resemble other masonic art I can find on the web. Thanks for your time, Ed J.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

September 29th, 2011, 10:03 AM	#2
John John Malyon, host Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 2,400	Well at first glance it reminds me of the work of Lee Lawrie, specifically some of his friezes at Rockefeller Center. His "Wisdom" even includes protractors as a symbol of knowledge, as this piece seems to. I imagine that Lawrie's work was inspired by William Blake's God an an Architect. BTW, is the school football team named the Rams by any chance?

September 30th, 2011, 11:50 PM	#3
m715 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Central KS Posts: 2	No, I don't think it's mascot was ever a Ram, but is a Cougar and before unification an Eagle I believe. I've looked up the artwork you mentioned and I do see the resemblence but keep thinking it's Masonic. The Masonic lodge did have a big following in a neighboring town....but then again I'm uneducated in artwork.