International Building Art - Rockefeller Center, NY, NY

International Building

GPS: N40° 45.519; W073° 58.690

Short Description:

The International Building at  630 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan has eight works of art on the walls of the north, south and west  façades. 

Long Description:

Columbia Greeting A Woman

by

Lee Oscar Lawrie

1937

This bas-relief limestone allegorical sculpture is located at the 19 West 50th Street entrance to the International Building. Columbia on the left represents America. She is shaking hands welcoming a woman immigrant to the new World. In the background are waves, represent the ocean, and the skyscrapers of New York.

Boatman Unfurling a Sail

by

Lee Oscar Lawrie

1937

This bas-relief limestone allegorical sculpture is located at the 19 West 50th Street entrance to the International Building. The boatman is working on the ship's sails with the ship representing freedom.  In the background are waves, represent the ocean, and the skyscrapers of New York.  

Swords Into Plowshares

by

Lee Oscar Lawrie

1937

This gilded plowshare with transforming crossed swords illustrate the biblical verse from Isaiah II, IV ... "and they shall beat their swords into plowshares". It is located at the 19 West 50th Street entrance to the International Building.

Cornucopia of Plenty

by

Lee Oscar Lawrie

1937

The polychrome limestone Art Deco bas-relief sculpture Cornucopia of Plenty is located at the 10 West 51th Entrance to the International Building. The artist is quoted as saying the sculpture represents "the plenitude that results from well organized international trade".

Fourteen Heraldic Shields

by

Lee Oscar Lawrie

1937

The polychrome limestone and gilded  Fourteen Heraldic Shields are located at the 20 West 51th Entrance to the International Building.

St. Francis of Assisi with Birds

by

Lee Oscar Lawrie

1937

The intaglio Art Deco carving of St. Francis of Assisi with Birds is located at the 9 West 50th Street entrance to the International Building.  St. Francis of Assisi is highly regarded for choosing to lead a simple life and for his love of all creatures.

To Commemorate 

the Workmen of the Center

by

Gaston Lachaise

1935

This pair of bas-relief limestone Art Deco sculptures are located above the 45 Rockefeller Plaza entrance to the International Building.  Each sculpture is 7' high and 12' wide. They show construction involved in their work and pay tribute all the workers who made the construction of Rockefeller Center possible.