A Short History of McCosh’s Designs for the Mural The Opening of the Middle West August 2007
inches long and six feet wide, on the subject of “The Opening of the Middle West,” with the following suggested topics: The Louisiana Purchase, The Mail in this French Settlement, Pony Express (Buffalo Bill, or a Pony Express Rider), Covered Wagon or Stage Coach being attacked by Indians, Frontier Post Office or General Store, Rail-Heads and the Pushing of the
IN APRIL 1935, David McCosh was among a limited
Railroad West, or Transference of Mail from the Rail-
group of painters from across the United States who
road to the Pony Express. The instructions gave the
were invited to compete for a commission from the
painters some latitude:
Painting and Sculpture Division of the Procurement
“The subject matter should be limited to the
Division of the Treasury Department to paint a set of
general theme stated, but the artist can express the
murals for the new Post Office and Justice Department
general theme as he sees fit. He may include all of
buildings in Washington, D.C. This invitation was
the topics suggested, may add to them, or may take a
no small honor. Each member of a special Advisory
simple specific incident to express the general theme.
Committee, consisting of many prominent museum
Any addition, found through research which fits into
professionals, a number of well-known painters and
the general theme is welcomed.”
sculptors, and several national political and govern-
McCosh took this project very seriously. His
ment figures were each asked to nominate artists in the
panels (“Building the Railroad” and what appears to
United States who they felt “were best fitted to carry
be a Pony Express theme) are carefully researched,
out the painting and sculpture for the two buildings.”
beautifully drawn and classically composed. But alas,
Eleven painting commissions were awarded outright
he received the rejection letter that is all too familiar
to the painters who received the most votes from the
to every artist who enters public competitions:
Advisory Committee, and they include many of the
“I am very sorry to inform you that your designs
best-known American painters of the day: Thomas
were not among those chosen for an award in the Post
Hart Benton, George Biddle, John Steuart Curry,
Office Department Building here in Washington.”
Rockwell Kent, Leon Kroll, Reginald Marsh, Henry
But this one had a happy ending:
Varnum Poor, Boardman Robinson, Eugene Savage,
“However, the Section of Painting and Sculpture
Maurice Sterne, and Grant Wood.
50
wants to appoint you to execute a design for a small
The Committee decided to give the other painters
post office. The blue prints and specifications and the
who were nominated but received fewer votes the
amount which you will be paid for this work, if you
opportunity to compete for the remaining eleven
accept the appointment, will be mailed to you at an
painting commissions, and the young David McCosh
early date.”
was one of the 175 painters who accepted the invitation
In the later 1930s and early ’40s, McCosh was
to enter this competition. Each painter was assigned
invited by the Treasury Department to paint murals
a specific subject matter and was asked to submit
in a number of small post offices. Despite his busy
a proposed design in color on a scale of two inches
teaching schedule, he was able to accept and complete
to the foot. McCosh’s assignment was to propose a
two commissions: Kelso, Washington (1936), and
mural consisting of two panels, each thirteen feet six
Beresford, South Dakota (1942). Both post offices are
