The Tomb of Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, by Lee Lawrie, 1929, in the Church of the Intercession, 155th and Broadway,New York.

Cartoon sketch for Goodhue's Tomb, LOC

Cartoon sketch for Goodhue's Tomb, LOC

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Goodhue's Tomb, from Prairie Deco

Goodhue's Tomb, from Prairie Deco

Goodhue's Death Mask

Goodhue's Death Mask

Goodhue's head, modeled from the death mask.

Goodhue's head, modeled from the death mask.

Pegasus, at his feet. He symbolizes creativity.

Pegasus, at his feet. He symbolizes creativity.

Arc above him, featuring his buildings

Arc above him, featuring his buildings

Closeup detail of the Nebraska State Capitol, his largest commission.

Closeup detail of the Nebraska State Capitol, his largest commission.

Church of the Intercession

Church of the Intercession

Lawrie worked with Goodhue from 1895 until the latter’s untimely 1924 death from heart failure at the age of 54. Lawrie designed the memorial to pay homage to Goodhue, and it includes an arc above the effigy of him, showing his major buildings. I visited the Church of the Intercession in 2002 and photographed the memorial at that time. ashes were interred in this memorial. In it, his head rests upon a stack of books, and at his feet, is the Pegasus.

“The symbolism of Pegasus, the hoofed master of the ground and winged master of the air, continues to represent speed, strength, and artistic inspiration. Encompassing beauty and a sense of majesty, it is a guide for humankind beyond the physical world to the realm where the spirit can soar without limit.”