| Redmond's selection of the myths of early California as an appropriate topic to explore in his murals speaks volumes on the need to conform to the "public perception" of what was our past. The public had been conditioned through a series of myths that created a powerful public image. In the 1920s and 1930s, the image of early California was a romantic one heavily shaped by novels such as Helen Hunt Jackson's "Ramona." Furthermore, the early Spanish Missions were in the process of being restored after years of neglect, and were visible reminders of a more relaxed and elegant past. Even our domestic architecture at that time glorified our Spanish and Mexican heritage with the Mission Revival, Spanish Colonial, and clay-roofed Mediterranean styles that are still popular to this day. Public buildings such as the Burbank Post Office or the Santa Barbara Junior High School also were designed along this theme, looking like haciendas. Even the silver screen wasn't safe from romantic stories of life in early California with Dolores Del Rio or the exploits of Zorro.
So it should not be surprising that Redmond selected a "safe" subject. In his letter to TRAP administrators describing his sketches he stated: "This wall depicts scenes of the pastoral life in early California during the historical Spanish period. Such scenes as this might have occurred about the great ranchos and missions which flourished during this period." The key word here is "might." The artist goes on to say that "I am using every source of reference procurable in early pictures, museums and histories of the period to furnish data for authentic details of racial types, clothing and equipment, such as saddles, bridles, etc." However, he continues" The pictures of Anza, Father Serra, Portola and Father Lausen are from portraits, although they are not carried into extreme detail in the sketches."
So the artist has given us a view that "might have" occurred, based loosely on historical data as to the clothing and accessories, and basing his portraits on early paintings whose accuracy we cannot vouch for and most likely were idealized. Furthermore this is the perfect subject since: "The land on which Compton now stands was part of the old Dominquez land grant, which was near the pueble {sic} of Los Angeles and the Mission San Gabriel." It was a perfect marriage. The visitors to the post office would readily identify the images as "fact" since they conformed to the images that they expected to see. Redmond himself confirms this in another document from the National Archive when he states: "The west wall has no particular historical incident depicted but represents the dreamy pastoral life of early California." Give the public what they want--they would be reassured by the past that they are presented, and the officals at TRAP would have done their job by giving the public art that comforted a people badly shaken by the economic hardships of the depression.
Yet the pastoral images as created by Redmond are beautiful. While they shouldn't be taken too seriously as historical fact, as pleasing works of art they are very successful. One of the problems with creating murals for small post offices was identified as the "cave effect" by another TRAP artist, Milford Zornes, when creating drawings for the Claremont USPO. If one used too dark a pallette, the room turned into gloomy caves. Obviously, Redmond was aware of this problem and selected a high key pallette that turns the room into a kaleidoscope of colors.
One of the most elegant images is the figure of the old shepherd resting against a tree, while the younger one watches the sheep grazing in the background. The older man is a triangle, giving the composition great strength by anchoring his form in the foreground, while the eye is carried around by a complex pattern of diagonals. He holds the entire painting together by his use of greens of various hues. Redmond takes a complex arrangement and makes it look deceptively simple. It is through this masterful handling of color and form that Redmond is able to unify the entire room and capture our attention.
James Redmond is able to recreate a mythical time when the pace was slower and we had time to appreciate the beautiful land that we inhabit. It is the longing for a romantic and meaningful past that the people wanted. If you are in the area, take the time to visit this neglected gem. |
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