Study for mural, Union Trust Company Building, "The Sources of Wealth"

Kenyon Cox, born Warren, OH 1856-died New York City 1919 · ca. 1903

Kenyon Cox spent a great deal of time planning his murals and often created multiple studies before he was satisfied with the design. This mural study shows how he worked out his color scheme. Before deciding on the facial expressions of his figures, Cox balanced the figural groups. Red accents connect all the figures with each other and unify the design. Cox’s attention to harmonizing colors reflects his idea of painting as a selection of colors and forms chosen to make the most unified image. (Morgan, Keepers of Culture, 1989)</span>