The Benton Mural

Before leaving Jefferson City I thought I'd stop for a minute to see Thomas Hart Benton's mural in the State Capitol Building. I ended up staying in the Legislative Lounge -- where the mural wraps around the room's walls -- for at least half an hour.

The mural -- completed by Benton in 1936 to quite a bit of controversy -- is breathtaking. Not only is it panoramic in its scope, but there are countless individual, small-scale scenes within the mural that draw your eye. If you're ever in Jeff City -- or anywhere close -- it's worth a stop. The three photos below barely do justice to what you'll see.