New Deal Art: Mural showing African American explorer Matthew Henson planting the American flag at the North Pole

Above: A mural of African American explorer Matthew Henson placing the American flag at the North Pole. The mural was created by Austin Mecklem (1890-1951), for the Recorder of Deeds building in Washington, DC. Mecklem created this mural while he was in the New Deal's Section of Fine Arts, 1943. A newspaper article from the time described the mural: "Mural for over-mantel decoration in library, subject, 'Commander Peary and Matthew Henson at the North Pole': While Peary was ill in the sleigh, as he discovered the North Pole, he directed Henson, a Negro, to place the American flag on an iceberg marking the location" (The Indianapolis Star, May 2, 1943). Mecklem's painting is one of seven New Deal murals in the Recorder of Deeds building, each depicting an important moment in African American history. Wikipedia has an interesting biography of Matthew Henson, here. Image courtesy of the Carol M. Highsmith and the Library of Congress.