M-33 Historical Society Read Kansas! By the Kansas Historical Society

Why is John Steuart Curry a Notable Kansan?

I have my own ideas about telling the story of pioneers coming into Kansas. I want to paint this war with nature and I want to paint the things I feel as a native Kansan.

—John Steuart Curry 2

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John Steuart Curry at his easel.

Curry’s murals in the Kansas State Capitol depict much of the history of Kansas.

1. Image credit: John Steuart Curry. Digital image. Kansas Memory. Kansas Historical Society. http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/785 2. Quote credit: ”John Steuart Curry.” Kansapedia. Kansas Historical Society. http://www.kshs.org/12028 3. Image credit: Curry, John S. Frontiersman and Conquistadors. Digital image. Kansas Historical Society. http://www.kshs.org/16596 4. Image credit: Curry, John S. Kansas Pastoral. Digital image. Kansas Historical Society. http://www.kshs.org/16598 5

This mural, Tragic Prelude, added to the ongoing controversy over Curry’s Capitol murals. However, it has become an iconic image of turbulent days in Kansas.

I sincerely believe that in the fragments, particularly the panel of John Brown, I have accomplished the greatest paintings I have yet done, and that they will stand as historical monuments. To the Mural Commission and to the children who donated their pennies, as well as to all others who have believed in me, I wish to express my appreciation and to assure you that I have done the best I could with the space at my command. 6 —John Steuart Curry

5. Image credit: Tragic Prelude. 7 Digital image. Kansas Memory. Kansas Historical Society. http:// Topeka Daily Capital, August 30, 1946 www.kansasmemory.org/ item/207858 Kansas’ Famed John Steuart Curry Is Dead 6. Quote credit: “John Steuart Curry.” Kansapedia. Kansas Heart Attack Claims Life of Nationally-Known State Artist Historical Society. http://www. kshs.org/12028 John Steuart Curry, 48, artist in residence at the University of Wisconsin, died

7. News article credit: “Kansas’ yesterday of a heart attack in Madison, Wis. A Kansan, he was considered the Famed John Steuart Curry Is state’s outstanding native artist. Dead.” Topeka Daily Capital [Topeka, Kansas] 30 Aug . . . Thousands of Kansas school children contributed approximately $8,000 in 1946: 1,18. Microfi lm. Kansas Historical Society: T-495. pennies, nickels, and dimes to get the project under way in 1940. An additional Transcription. $2,000 was appropriated by the 1941 Legislature for their completion.

. . . When the $2,000 appropriation was needed for completion of the murals, several Senators and Representatives complained that Curry’s work was not art and did not portray Kansas scenes. . .

©2011