History of California by Anton Regregier at the Rincon Center

Anton Refregier (American, born Russia 1905–1979). History of California, 1948. Secco (case in tempera). Rincon Center.

In 1941, the WPA held a competition soliciting proposals to create this mural. The contest was won by Anton Refregier, a Russian born artist, who became famous for his work at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. Work on the murals, which depict the history of Northern California, was begun, but quickly suspended due to the onset of World War II. At the War's close, work on the mural resumed in 1946, and over the next two years some 92 changes were made to satisfy special interest groups. The mural was finally finished in 1948 and covers 400 feet of wall space. The work is not a “fresco”, but rather a “case-in-tempera” on white gesso over plaster wall. It remains the largest single commission by the Painting and Sculpture Division of the WPA. More information>>