This mural is one of many in the New York Public Library that Laning created. They were painted from 1938-1942 as part of a Works Progress Administration commission. In this particular mural, Prometheus gives man knowledge and fire from the gods. This Greek myth is appropriate for the ceiling of a library, since knowledge resides in the pages beneath the artwork.
Installed, 1942
Map View
Current Location
476 Fifth Avenue 42nd Street
Located in the New York Public Library. It is on the ceiling of the McGraw Rotunda.
In this particular mural, Prometheus gives man knowledge and fire from the gods, thus appropriate for the ceiling of a library, since knowledge resides in the pages beneath the artwork