Mural painting and decoration

Artist Thomas Hart Benton (on top of platform, right), at work on his mural for the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library, entitled "Independence and the Opening of the West." The other two men are unidentified.

The model that Thomas Hart Benton used when painting his mural for the Truman Library entitled, "Independence and the Opening of the West."

The clay model for the mural that Thomas Hart Benton painted in the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library.

A clay model of the mural that Thomas Hart Benton painted in the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library.

Thomas Hart Benton at work on his mural for the Truman Library. Part of the mural, including cowboys, firearms, and a covered wagon, is clearly visible.

Thomas Hart Benton is standing on a raised platform while he works on his mural for the lobby of the Truman library.

Thomas Hart Benton (right) facing the wall where the his mural, "Independence and the Opening of the West," is to be painted in the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library, while Sidney Larson (left) holds a small mockup of the mural.

Former President Harry S. Truman (right) on the scaffolding in the lobby of the Truman Library, where Thomas Hart Benton is painting a mural, entitled "Independence and the Opening of the West". Sidney Larson (left) is also on the scaffolding.

Thomas Hart Benton (right) on scaffolding in front of the sketch of his mural in the lobby of the Truman Presidential Library while an unidentified man (left) looks on.

Unidentified man (bottom right) taking picture of artist Thomas Hart Benton (top left) while on scaffolding at the site of the Truman Presidential Library Mural.