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| Our
special thanks to Marilyn Tomalavage who sent in these photos (see letter
below) of the two extant murals of a group of three painted by New Mexico native
Peter Hurd in 1940. The missing mural was called “Eastbound Mail Stage”
which probably matched “Airmail Over
Texas” in size and shape. |
"Airmail Over Texas"
by Peter Hurd
Photo courtesy Marilyn Tomalavage |
The photographer’s
letter:
“I noticed on your listing of WPA
Murals that you do not have photos of the ones hanging in the Terminal
Annex at Dallas. Some years ago
I pursued and was given special permission to photograph the two remaining ones
that are there. I was told that the third one had been painted over. I cannot
tell you how much I love and appreciate the work that Texas
Escapes does to preserve and share the history of this state and how much
I use it when I am planning travels around the state. It [is] my pleasure to
share my photos with you. I do wish I had been able to compose them differently
but where they are mounted was limiting to how I could photograph them.” - Marilyn
Tomalavage
About the artist:
Hurd, who
studied under famed illustrator N. C. Wyeth (Andrew’s father) married into the
Wyeth family. He later became a war correspondent for Life magazine and in 1969
painted what was to have been the official presidential portrait of Lyndon Johnson.
Johnson wasn’t pleased with the likeness and said as much at the unveiling. It
has since become part of the National Portrait Gallery at the Smithsonian Institution.
More
on the artist (including Johnson’s reaction to his portrait) can be found here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Hurd
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WPA Mural "Pioneer Home
Builders" by Peter Hurd
Photo courtesy Marilyn Tomalavage |
"Pioneer Home Builders"
Photo
courtesy Marilyn Tomalavage | | |
