Lawrie: In His Own Words

“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.

Note: This is my personal copy of this book, which is more of a pamphlet. It bears the mark ©1934 Esto Publishing Company of Pasadena, California. Mr. Lawrie has been deceased since 1963, and Esto Publishing is no longer in business. This document is provided under a claim of fair use for academic purposes. There are only 9 copies of this book available in libraries in New York, Washington D.C. and New Orleans. I purchased my own copy, and it is not offered for sale, nor downloadable from my site.