Mural painting and decoration

This photograph depicts Thomas Hart Benton's draft in wax of figures he later used in his mural, "Independence and the Opening of the West" at the Harry S. Truman Library.

This photograph depicts Thomas Hart Benton's draft in wax of figures he later used in his mural, "Independence and the Opening of the West" at the Harry S. Truman Library.

Rita Benton and her grandson Anthony stand before Thomas Hart Benton's mural entitled "Independence and the Opening of the West" at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library.

Rita Benton and her grandson Anthony stand before Thomas Hart Benton's mural entitled "Independence and the Opening of the West" at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library.

This photograph depicts Thomas Hart Benton's draft in wax of figures he later used in his mural, "Independence and the Opening of the West" at the Harry S. Truman Library.

Thomas Hart Benton works on a sketch for the mural for the Truman Library in his studio. The title of the mural is "Independence and the Opening of the West".

Front portals of the Harry S. Truman Library at night, with unfinished Thomas Hart Benton mural visible through the glass door. The mural is titled "Independence and the Opening of the West." Original photo is in oversize file. Donor: Don Friedrich.

Overall banquet view of the head tables and mural behind at the Military Chaplain's Association twentieth annual convention held at the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco, California. Principal speakers at the dinner included Secretary of the Navy, Francis P. Matthews, who is ninth from the left on the back row and General Mark W. Clark, Chief of the Army Field Forces, who is sixth from the right on the back row.

Former President Harry Truman and Bess Truman and two other members of their party standing in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican. Bess and the two other members are looking up at the ceiling.

Former President Harry S. Truman and Bess Truman view the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican. Left to right: Mrs. Stanley Woodward; Ambassador Stanley Woodward; unidentified man; Bess Truman; Harry S. Truman; and unidentified woman. They are all looking up.