• Post Office Mural - Bethany MO
    The post office contains a Treasury Section of Fine Arts mural entitled "Time Out" painted by Joseph Vorst in 1942. Mural showing a farm family taking a lunch break, with minimal shadows showing that it was noon. The regionalist theme and style are typical of Vorst who was a friend and influenced by both Joe Jones and Thomas Hart Benton. Joseph Vorst was born in Essen, Germany where he studied under Max Liebermann. He immigrated to the United States, probably to escape the Nazis and was involved in Liberal politics and condemnations of the Nazis. He was very successful, particularly 1939-1942.
  • Post Office Mural - Paris AR
    The New Deal mural "Rural Arkansas" was painted for the historic Paris, Arkansas post office, where it still hangs today. "Joseph Vorst was commissioned for $740 to create this 4'x13' oil on canvas mural for Paris, Arkansas based on his winning entry in the 1939 48 States Competition. "The competition selected 48 winning artists to compose a mural for a each of the 48 continental states. Vorst's initial composition for Rural Arkansas was rejected due to the town's contention that it showed their community as both stereotyped and backward. Vorst thus redesigned his composition into the image that extolled the modern...
  • Post Office Mural - Vandalia MO
    This mural "Corn Harvest" by Joseph Vorst was painted for the Vandalia post office with funding from the Treasury Section of Fine Arts. It depicts a classic regionalist subject with farmers harvesting corn, stacking the corn into shocks, and then transporting them on a cart pulled by two mules.  A barn is in the background and the right side of the mural features lunch for the men.  Some erosion is evident on the hill in the center and the tree roots on the right are exposed. Joseph Vorst was born in Essen, Germany where he studied under Max Liebermann.  He immigrated...