The Art and Architecture of Death
An unusual Jewish park cemetery (most Jewish cemeteries in Pittsburgh are small and crowded), with some fine mausoleums and monuments. It is associated with Rodef Shalom Temple in Shadyside.
A particularly fine example of Art Deco as applied to cemetery monuments. It may date from 1931; that seems to be the earliest of several Dreyfuss burials marked by separate stones in front of the monument.
The extra width gives the mausoleum room for more inmates, but it does not seem to have been worked into the design well. It looks as though the Franks and Klees ordered a standard Doric temple, quite correct in its proportions, and then as an afterthought added wings.
The stained glass is very pretty.
A splendid Egyptian mausoleum with a fine view of the Pyramids out the back window.
The West View Cemetery is notable for a number of tasteful modernist mausoleums. On this one, note how the etched decoration is repeated in the bronze doors. The landscaping in front is very unusual, and in fact almost unique in Pittsburgh, where cemetery groundskeepers usually expect to be able to mow right up to the steps of a mausoleum.
Considering that the Exodus is the central event in Israel’s sacred history, Egyptian Revival has always struck old Pa Pitt as an odd choice of styles for a Jewish cemetery. But with this particular mausoleum he can see the appeal. “You think you’re a god-king, Pharaoh? Well, how would you like to be a door handle for the rest of eternity? What do you think of that, Mr. Bricks-Without-Straw?” (It should be noted that pulling a man’s beard was just about the most insulting thing one could do in ancient Israel.)
A simplified Doric mausoleum in the style of the early to middle twentieth century. The stained-glass menorah is doubtless a standard catalogue item, but it is well executed.
An attractive modernist mausoleum, probably from after the Second World War, that combines simplicity of form with enough (simplified) decorative detail to avoid monotony. The stained glass inside is pretty, if not particularly inspired.
A very simple mausoleum whose visual interest comes mostly from the rusticated blocks, and their contrast with the finished doorframe.
Rusticated blocks and Doric columns are a popular combination for good reason: the Doric style is simple enough to go well with rough-cut stone, which adds interest to the otherwise blank side walls.
A simple rustic mausoleum, probably a stock model, immaculately kept, like everything in the West View Cemetery.
