National Maritime Historical Park: Hiler Atlantis Murals - San Francisco CA

City:: San Francisco, CA
Site Type:: Art Works, Murals
New Deal Agencies:: Arts Programs, Work Relief Programs, Federal Arts Project (FAP), Works Progress Administration (WPA)
Completed:: 1939
Artists:: Hilaire Hiler, Lawrence Holmberg, Richard Ayer, Thomas Dowley
Quality of Information:: Very Good
Marked:: Yes
Site Survival:: Extant

Description

Hilaire Hiler created the massive 10′ x 100′ mural entitled “Lost Continents of Atlantis and Mu” that covers all four walls of the main entrance hall at the visitors center of the National Maritime Historical Park. It is a fantastic representation of sea life that captures the imagination of visitors to this day.

The method of painting was “wax-emulsion variation of the Gambier-Parry spirit fresco process.” To save time Hiler began the work on canvas and carried it as far as possible before installation on the lobby walls. Hiler was assisted by artists Lawrence Holmberg, Richard Ayer and Thomas Dowley.

The mural was completed in 1939 and paid for by Federal Art Project FAP funds.

The San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park visitors center was originally the bathhouse for the San Francisco Aquatic Park, created by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) 1936-39.