Airmail (fresco): Difference between revisions
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''Airmail'' was created as part of a [[New Deal]] program to help unemployed artists. The United States Post Office commissioned around 100 pieces of art in Illinois under this scheme. Edwin Boyd Johnson painted ''Airmail'', finishing it in 1937. Between 1937 and 1971, it was located in the postmaster's office.<ref name=ct>{{Cite newspaper | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2010-04-21-ct-x-w-0421-melrose-park-mural-20100421-story.html |title = A special delivery from the past |publisher=Chicago Tribune |date=April 21, 2010 |accessdate=March 28, 2020}}</ref> When the post office closed it was renovated to become the public library, during which time the fresco was lost and presumed destroyed.<ref name=mem>{{Cite newspaper | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2007-07-06-0707050998-story.html | title=Distant memory leads to old mural |publisher=Chicago Tribune |date=April 21, 2010 |accessdate=March 28, 2020}}</ref> |
''Airmail'' was created as part of a [[New Deal]] program to help unemployed artists. The United States Post Office commissioned around 100 pieces of art in Illinois under this scheme. Edwin Boyd Johnson painted ''Airmail'', finishing it in 1937. Between 1937 and 1971, it was located in the postmaster's office.<ref name=ct>{{Cite newspaper | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2010-04-21-ct-x-w-0421-melrose-park-mural-20100421-story.html |title = A special delivery from the past |publisher=Chicago Tribune |date=April 21, 2010 |accessdate=March 28, 2020}}</ref> When the post office closed it was renovated to become the public library, during which time the fresco was lost and presumed destroyed.<ref name=mem>{{Cite newspaper | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2007-07-06-0707050998-story.html | title=Distant memory leads to old mural |publisher=Chicago Tribune |date=April 21, 2010 |accessdate=March 28, 2020}}</ref> |
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The mural was rediscovered in 2007 following a man named Richard Grunt investigating Johnson's work after remembering seeing ''Airmail'' at the post office when he was a child. When he contacted the library about it, the librarian explored behind a drop ceiling and rediscovered it.<ref name=mem /> ''Airmail'' was in bad condition with the center piece being "punched out" |
The mural was rediscovered in 2007 following a man named Richard Grunt investigating Johnson's work after remembering seeing ''Airmail'' at the post office when he was a child. When he contacted the library about it, the librarian explored behind a drop ceiling and rediscovered it.<ref name=mem /> ''Airmail'' was in bad condition with the center piece being "punched out" and the top and bottom of the fresco being chipped.<ref name=ct /> It is believed to have been damaged following removal to install new air ducts during the transformation from post office to library.<ref>{{cite book |first=Findencio |last=Marbella |title=Melrose Park |page=127 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |year=2009 |isbn=978-0738560939}}</ref> Appeals were made to cover the $50,000 bill for restoration.<ref name=mem /> The money was raised by a combination of local societies and [[Fifth Third Bank]] in 2010. After a six-month restoration, it was unveiled at Melrose Park Historical Center before being returned to the library for permanent display.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20100409/BLOGS03/304099990/depression-era-mural-restored-in-melrose-park |title = Depression-era mural restored in Melrose Park|date = April 9, 2010 |publisher=Chicago Business |accessdate=March 28, 2020}}</ref> |
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== References == |
== References == |
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Revision as of 14:15, 3 June 2020
| Airmail | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Artist | Edwin Boyd Johnson |
| Year | 1937 |
| Medium | Fresco |
| Location | Melrose Park, Illinois, United States |
Airmail is a 4-by-8-foot American fresco painting by Edwin Boyd Johnson. It was painted in 1937 and was originally located in the Melrose Park, Illinois, United States Post Office, which later became the village's public library.[1]
The fresco features a giant barefoot and bare-chested male mailman flying over a town scene whilst holding a winged letter. An airplane is seen in the skies behind him.[1][2] This was chosen as Melrose Park was one of the first airmail facilities used by the United States Post Service and the fresco was painted to commemorate it.[2]
History
Airmail was created as part of a New Deal program to help unemployed artists. The United States Post Office commissioned around 100 pieces of art in Illinois under this scheme. Edwin Boyd Johnson painted Airmail, finishing it in 1937. Between 1937 and 1971, it was located in the postmaster's office.[2] When the post office closed it was renovated to become the public library, during which time the fresco was lost and presumed destroyed.[3]
The mural was rediscovered in 2007 following a man named Richard Grunt investigating Johnson's work after remembering seeing Airmail at the post office when he was a child. When he contacted the library about it, the librarian explored behind a drop ceiling and rediscovered it.[3] Airmail was in bad condition with the center piece being "punched out" and the top and bottom of the fresco being chipped.[2] It is believed to have been damaged following removal to install new air ducts during the transformation from post office to library.[4] Appeals were made to cover the $50,000 bill for restoration.[3] The money was raised by a combination of local societies and Fifth Third Bank in 2010. After a six-month restoration, it was unveiled at Melrose Park Historical Center before being returned to the library for permanent display.[5]
References
- ^ a b "Melrose Park Public Library Mural – Melrose Park IL". Living New Deal. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
- ^ a b c d "A special delivery from the past". Chicago Tribune. April 21, 2010. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
- ^ a b c "Distant memory leads to old mural". Chicago Tribune. April 21, 2010. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
- ^ Marbella, Findencio (2009). Melrose Park. Arcadia Publishing. p. 127. ISBN 978-0738560939.
- ^ "Depression-era mural restored in Melrose Park". Chicago Business. April 9, 2010. Retrieved March 28, 2020.