A Harmony of the Arts: The Nebraska State Capitol

by Frederick C. Luebke (Editor)

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 construction for a decade, successfully embodies the union of art, architecture, and humanism.


A Harmony of the 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.

Genres: Nonfiction

132 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1990

Reviews

[Julie Rowse · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 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.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

A history of the Nebraska state capitol building including the locations and buildings that lead up to it. Completed in 1932 and built around the old capitol building to save costs it contains a unique mix of architecture, art, and philosophy that is examined in this book. The winning design was by Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue but there was a unique vision in the collaboration with Hartley Burr Alexander, the philosopher and anthropologist who developed the symbolical details of the building. A discussion of the themes executed in the sculptures, tilework, murals, and even the landscaping along with the original sketches and photographs help with the descriptions. A fascinating analysis of the art and architecture of the beautiful and unique Nebraska capitol building.

[Paul Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent history and philosophy. Beautiful photographs!