The Saint Francis Murals of Santa Fe: the Commission and the Artists

The murals of the Saint Francis Auditorium of the Museum of Fine Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico were dedicated in 1918 when the Museum of Fine Arts was the subject of great festivities held for the grand opening of the building, financed by private capital and State money. The murals themselves are in excellent condition and effectively grace the handsome auditorium. Their meaning is not obvious; in only three of them does Saint Francis appear. One inevitably wonders why the other subjects were selected; who made the decisions as to the subjects; who gave the commission and when; what artists did what for which pictures? What was the impact of the unexpected death of the principal artist before the murals were completed? These questions, but above all the meaning of the cycle of pictures, instigated the author?s research and are responsible for clarifying Santa Fe?s heritage of these extraordinary pictures.