Artists

Thomas Hart Benton arriving at the Truman Library to work on his mural, "Independence and the Opening of the West".

Thomas Hart Benton arriving at the Truman Library to work on his mural, "Independence and the Opening of the West".

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.

Thomas Hart Benton (left) greets former President Harry S. Truman (right) upon his arrival at Mr. Truman's 76th birthday party, which was held in the reception room of Mr. Truman's suite at the Harry S. Truman Library.

Thomas Hart Benton (left) greets former President Harry S. Truman (center) upon his arrival at Truman's 76th birthday party, in his suite at the Harry S. Truman Library. An unidentified woman is in the background.

Thomas Hart Benton on the scaffolding (top left) speaking to former President Harry S. Truman (center) and his 76th birthday party group. Sam Feeback of WDAF TV is at the left. Margaret Sanders and Joe Adams are in the background near the sales desk. Bill Strader of the Associated Press and Mike Westwood of the Independence police are to the right.

A tea given by the American Institute of Architects at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library for Thomas Hart Benton, who was the winner of the annual award medal. Benton is seated at the left. Mr. McCullom, of the American Institute of Architects, speaks at the podium, while architect Alonzo Gentry stands at the right.

A tea given by the American Institute of Architects at the Harry S. Truman Library for Thomas Hart Benton, who was the winner of the annual award medal. Benton sits at the left, and Alonzo Gentry speaks to a group in the Harry S. Truman Library Auditorium.

A tea given by the American Institute of Architects at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library for Thomas Hart Benton, who was the winner of its annual award medal. From the left, Thomas Hart Benton stands at the podium speaking to the audience; Mr. McCullom, of the American Institute of Architects, in white at the podium; and Alonzo Gentry (seated).