Tom Lea: Chronicler of 20th Century America

Exhibition on view 08/22/2015 - 01/03/2016

The Bullock Texas State History Museum presents the first comprehensive exhibition of works by El Paso artist Tom Lea (1907-2001). Featuring illustrations, paintings, writings, and full-scale prints of murals, Tom Lea: Chronicler of 20th Century America celebrates Lea's career as a quintessential chronicler of 20th-century America. Lea depicted both the hauntingly beautiful Southwest and the international conflict experienced firsthand while serving as an artist-correspondent during World War II.

The exhibition brings together original works on loan from private collections and museums throughout the country and provides insight into the history Lea's artworks reflect. Lea's work is highly personal and human — exploring his own life and depicting the lives of 20th-century Americans, from the struggles of the Great Depression to those serving abroad in the military. In addition to completing commissioned works as part of the New Deal, Lea's work was featured in The Saturday Evening Post, Life magazine, and in Hollywood films.

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Tom Lea Press Release

First major exhibition of works by Texas artist Tom Lea opens Aug. 22 at the Bullock Museum

August 18, 2015 (Austin, Texas) -- The Bullock Texas State History Museum's new exhibition, "Tom Lea: Chronicler of 20th Century America," opens Aug. 22, 2015 and features paintings, illustrations, and writings that celebrate Lea's career. As a quintessential chronicler of the 20th-century United States, El Paso native Tom Lea (1907-2001) depicted both the hauntingly beautiful Southwest and the international conflict experienced firsthand while serving as an artist-correspondent during World War II. View Press Release