Mural painting and decoration

Milton Perry, Harry S. Truman Library curator, holds up the sketch of the lower part of Thomas Hart Benton's mural "Independence and the Opening of the West".

Thomas Hart Benton at work on the mural, "Independence and the Opening of the West" in the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library.

Thomas Hart Benton at work on the mural, "Independence and the Opening of the West" in the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library.

Thomas Hart Benton at work on the mural, "Independence and the Opening of the West" in the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library.

Thomas Hart Benton at work on the mural, "Independence and the Opening of the West" in the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library.

Thomas Hart Benton at work on the mural, "Independence and the Opening of the West" in the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library.

Former President Harry S. Truman viewing the almost completed mural, "Independence and the Opening of the West" in the lobby of the Truman Library. Mural by Thomas Hart Benton.

Mural "Independence and the Opening of the West", painted by Thomas Hart Benton in the lobby of the Truman Library.

Thomas Hart Benton (far left) at work on his mural in the lobby of the Truman Presidential Library. This is a special panoramic camera negative.

Thomas Hart Benton at work on the mural sketch for the Truman Presidential Library at his studio in Kansas City, Missouri.