Monthly Archives: March 2015

Alpha and Omega

Posted on March 31, 2015 by gravelyspeaking

This statue in the Lakewood Cemetery at Minneapolis, Minnesota, shows a woman holding an open book. The open book is a common symbol found on gravestones. The motif can represent the Book of Life with the names of the just registered on its pages or it can … Continue reading →

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An Artist’s Work

Posted on March 27, 2015 by gravelyspeaking

  Hungarian-born sculptor George Julian Zolnay (July 4, 1863 – May 1, 1949) created monumental works of arts including the memorial at the edge of Centennial Park in Nashville, Tennessee, for fallen World War I soldiers. This sculpture shows the … Continue reading →

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Hope

Posted on March 25, 2015 by gravelyspeaking

The representation of Hope can be easily found in American cemeteries.  Hope is most often portrayed as a woman standing and leaning against an anchor.  In the example above, Virtue is seated and holding a small anchor in her lap.  In … Continue reading →

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The Sundial

Posted on March 19, 2015 by gravelyspeaking

The sundial has been a way to measure time since the Egyptians developed them over 3,500 years ago. Historians even believe that the obelisks of ancient Egypt were used to measure time even earlier. Two sundial monuments in the Lakewood … Continue reading →

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Slaying the Dragon

Posted on March 14, 2015 by gravelyspeaking

St. Michael is featured in many cemetery sculptures. Only the Archangel Michael, one of three angels mentioned by name in the Bible, is clothed in armor.  The sword he carries represents a cross but also a weapon in his war … Continue reading →

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The Woman Who Lives on a Ladder

Posted on March 12, 2015 by gravelyspeaking

Nellie Verne Walker (December 8, 1874 Red Oak, Iowa – July 10, 1973 Colorado Springs, Colorado) stood a whopping 4 foot 8 inches tall. The diminutive woman was not the image one thinks of when conjuring up a sculptor creating … Continue reading →

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Vampira

Posted on March 5, 2015 by gravelyspeaking

MAILA NURMI 1922 – 2008 VAMPIRA HOLLYWOOD LEGEND At a masquerade party hosted by choreographer Lester Horton, a budding actress arrived dressed as a cartoon figure—straight out of the New Yorker. Maila Nurmi shimmied into a tight dress, highlighting not … Continue reading →

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Aquila Non Capit Muscas

Posted on March 1, 2015 by gravelyspeaking

A stained glass window in a mausoleum in the Lakewood Cemetery at Minneapolis, Minnesota, displays a yellow dragon with wings spread on a ruby red background, over the motto, AQUILA NON CAPIT MUSCAS. The translation of the Latin motto to English is … Continue reading →

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