Study for Mural at U.S. Custom House, Cleveland, OH, "Passing Commerce Pays Tribute to the Port of Cleveland"

Kenyon Cox, born Warren, OH 1856-died New York City 1919 · 1909

This study shows Kenyon Cox’s plan for a mural above the fireplace in the office of Cleveland’s Collector of Customs. Cox chose an allegorical scene to represent the city’s booming economy. Mercury, god of commerce, drops golden coins into the lap of an allegorical figure of Cleveland, shown as an idealized woman. Cox used a grid system to translate the image onto a much larger canvas, which would be installed in an elaborately carved frame on the wall. He decided on a color scheme to match the dark brown wood of the walnut walls and the purple marble of the chimney mantle, explaining that “It seemed best to make the decoration a spot of brilliant color in its rich and quiet surroundings.” (Morgan, Kenyon Cox, 1856-1919: A Life in American Art, 1994)