Mural painting and decoration

John Martino placing plastic preservative on Thomas Hart Benton's completed mural, "Independence and the Opening of the West," in the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library.

A photograph focusing on the section to the left of the doorway of the mural "Independence and the Opening of the West," painted in the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library by Thomas Hart Benton.

The mural "Independence and the Opening of the West" by Thomas Hart Benton in the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library.

Night scene at the Harry S. Truman Library, with Thomas Hart Benton's mural, "Independence and the Opening of the West," showing in the background.

Independence and the Opening of the West, a mural by Thomas Hart Benton, in the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library. This view is from an angle from the West Foyer area.

Independence and the Opening of the West, a mural by Thomas Hart Benton, in the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library (section to the right of the doorway).

Independence and the Opening of the West, a mural by Thomas Hart Benton, in the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library (section over the doorway).

Allen Nevins (left) and painter Thomas Hart Benton (right) speak in front of Mr. Benton's mural, "Independence and the Opening of the West," in the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library.

Allen Nevins (left) and Thomas Hart Benton (right) talk in front of Mr. Benton's mural, "Independence and the Opening of the West," in the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library.

An unknown person holds aloft a test copy of the sketch of the lower part of the mural for the Harry S. Truman Library, "Independence and the Opening of the West," by Thomas Hart Benton.