The Artist Who Was too Controversial for the Justice Department - And his Arrival to Madison
John Steuart Curry was born in Dunavant, Kansas in November 14, 1897. He has several famous paintings and is now known as one of the most influential American Regionalist artists. He became the nation’s first artist in residence at the University of Wisconsin Madison from 1936 to 1946. Also in 1936, Curry was commissioned to paint a mural for the Department of Justice. However, his concept was deemed too controversial for the government building. So, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law school Dean at the time, Lloyd K. Garrison (who also happened to be the grandson of famous abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison) helped bring Curry’s vision to the University Law School. Curry completed Freeing of the Slaves in 1942 during residency at Madison. The mural stands in the Law School to this day.
(Image title: “John Steuart Curry and Wife,” circa 1941, local identifier S13688)
