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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 |
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