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Image
Photo Credit Louis Washington, U.S. District Court
Los Angeles - Prehistoric and Spanish Colonial
Photo Credit Louis Washington, U.S. District Court

Los Angeles - Prehistoric and Spanish Colonial

Yearc.1938
Classification painting
Medium oil on canvas
Dimensions98 x 168 in. (248.9 x 426.7 cm)
Credits Commissioned through the Section of Fine Arts, 1934 - 1943
Fine Arts Collection
U.S. General Services Administration

  • The Mural: "Los Angeles-Prehistoric and Spanish Colonial" was painted in 1938 by Edward Biberman, and installed shortly after on the southwest wall in the entrance lobby of the Post Office & Courthouse, Los Angeles, California.  It was commissioned by the Section of Fine Arts, Public Buildings Administration, Federal Works Agency. 



    In the center of the painting is a copy of the first map made of the city by Lieutenant Ord, in 1849.  It is flanked on the left by animals,and the La Brea tar pits representing Los Angeles' prehistoric history.  On the right, the founding of the Pueblo of "Nuestra Senora La Reina de Los Angeles" by Felipe de Neve in September of 1781.