Presidential libraries

Thomas Hart Benton at work on the lower part of his mural for the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library. The mural is titled "Independence and the Opening of the West".

Color view of the mural by Thomas Hart Benton, \"Independence and the Opening of the West\"" in the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library. Permission to publish an image of the mural must be obtained from VAGA. "

Former President Harry S. Truman (left) and painter Thomas Hart Benton stand in front of Mr. Benton's mural, "Independence and the Opening of the West", in the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library. They are attending the dedication of the mural.

Artist Thomas Hart Benton (right), standing on scaffolding, working on his mural for the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library. The mural is entitled "Independence and the Opening of the West".

A completed section of the mural painted by Thomas Hart Benton for the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library. The title of the work is "Independence and the Opening of the West".

Artist Thomas Hart Benton (right) and an unidentified associate on scaffolding, working on his mural for the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library. The mural is entitled "Independence and the Opening of the West".

A completed section of the mural painted by Thomas Hart Benton for the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library. The title of the work is "Independence and the Opening of the West".

Artist Thomas Hart Benton at work on his mural for the lobby of the Harry S. Truman. The work is entitled "Independence and the Opening of the West".

Artist Thomas Hart Benton pauses to light his pipe while working on his mural in the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library. The mural is entitled "Independence and the Opening of the West".

Artist Thomas Hart Benton, standing on scaffolding, working on his mural for the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library, entitled "Independence and the Opening of the West".