Historic courthouse murals to be part of book

The colorful murals depict the history of law.

YOUNGSTOWN — Spotlights shone on four historic murals in the Mahoning County Courthouse rotunda as they were photographed Tuesday for a forthcoming book about the world-famous artist who painted them.

The book will be a compilation of essays by many authors concerning the life of Edwin H. Blashfield of New York City, who was known as “the dean of American muralists.” It will be published by W.W. Norton of New York City about a year from now, said photographer Anne Day of Lakeville, Conn.

Blashfield received a gold medal from the Architectural League of New York for his colorful triangular murals depicting the history of law in 1911 — the year the courthouse opened. An art conservator restored the 17-foot high murals in the top corners of the rotunda during the courthouse renovation in 1989-90.

The four murals are titled: The Law of Classical Antiquity, The Law of the Bible, The Law of the Middle Ages and The Law of Modern Times.

Blashfield, who died at 87 in 1936, also painted the central dome at the Library of Congress in Washington and did many other works in major public buildings in the Eastern and Midwestern states. He was president of the National Academy of Design for 38 years.

“To have a man of this caliber have done those murals is quite a thing of significance. ... We are an important part of American art history,’’ observed Kathi McNabb Welsh, chief deputy clerk of courts.

“It’s beautiful. It’s in great shape. It looks like it’s been restored,” Day said of the courthouse here.