East and west elevations for the Land Grant Frescoes
Item
Title
East and west elevations for the Land Grant Frescoes
Creator
Henry Varnum Poor
American, 1887-1970
American, 1887-1970
Date
1947
Materials
Ink, graphite, and pastel on paper mounted on board
Measurements
6 13/16 x 16 5/8 inches (17.3 x 42.2 cm)
Description
These drawings accompanied a detailed written presentation of Poor’s ideas for the east and west walls that the artist forwarded to Penn State in November 1947. "Please express what you feel," he wrote in the presentation, inviting frank response to his plan. "You know that subject matter is just a starting point and one is about as good as another." While most of the themes laid out here were realized in the final painting, one underwent significant change. Poor’s initial concept for the far right section of the west wall was to portray "a sort of memorial group of present day war heroes, in equal monotony of olive drab uniforms against the same dull red ground." In the end, this notion was revised to feature instead extracurricular student activities. At its center: a football player.
Source
Palmer Museum of Art, The Pennsylvania State University, Gift of Miss Anne Poor
Identifier
82.156.1-2
Rights
This image is posted publicly for non-profit educational uses, excluding printed publication. Other uses are not permitted.