Lost Mural Undergoes Art Restoration. Texan Story And Heritage Restored!!

By Jasmin Brand, Blogger, Historian

James Buchanan Winn, Jr., better known as Buck Winn, is well known in the South West
and especially in Texas for his contributions to mural painting and
architecture. Perhaps his most famous piece is The History of Ranching
(Cattle ranching in Texas) mural painted in 1950-1951. The mural
depicts traditional South Western symbols of cowboys, covered
wagons, desert landscapes, and old steam trains. Originally it was
commissioned by, and located in, the Corral Room in the Pearl Brewery
in
San Antonio, Texas and stretched 280 feet wide and six feet tall. Proud
of
their Texan heritage, the Pearl Brewery used Texas artists for all of their
advertising, simultaneously promoting South Western history, which is
exactly what Buck Winns mural does (did).
With the renovation of the Corral Room in 1971, the Brewery had the (oil on canvas
paintings glued to the wall) mural ripped off the walls, rolled up like rugs and tossed out of
the way. For a period of time, The History of Ranching became known as the lost mural. It
had been generally revered as a monumental, iconic, important Texan art masterpiece
(especially after someone had knocked down a few in the Brewery). After removal, it
languished for decades in a forgettable storage facility.
Luckily because this was such a well known piece it did not get destroyed like many of
Bucks other murals. It was rediscovered in the 1990s by Dorey Schmidt, an art historian,
after considerable sleuthing and poking around. Inspired by what few public art works of
Bucks she was able to see, Schmidt was troubled by the fact that so many of Winns works
were lost to senseless events such as redecorating or remodeling.
In fact, just as Schmidt found the mural, it was due to be destroyed or discarded!! Thanks to
Chuck Remling, who had worked for the Brewery company for fourteen years, the
unidentified rolled up mural sections were found, rediscovered and donated to several
collections. It is because of this womans and mans efforts that another piece of history was
not lost. However restoration was very much needed after its rough removal from the wall,
decades being improperly rolled up and then mishandling and being crushed in storage.

Recently there have been plans and discussions by several Texan institutions and public
entities to re-reveal parts of the 280 ft mural. Currently there are 11 different 30 ft. panels or

sections which are owned by different institutions, not allowing for the whole mural to be
seen as it was originally intended. Finding a large enough space to display them all together
will prove to be a difficult task.
Here is a video showing the art conservation efforts to restore 3 mural sections that belong
to Texas State University: http://www.fineartconservationlab.com/murals/the-art-restorationof-texass-most-famous-lost-public-art-by-the-most-famous-texan-artist-you-never-heard-of/

This stands as a good example of how saving something, which might not seem all that
pertinent at the time, can turn out in the most magnificent way. Obviously the mural was not
considered valuable by its owners at the time of renovation, to the point where it was literally
pulled out of a dumpster. However twenty years on and it is held by preservation committees
and highly regarded by many people, especially art historians interested in twentieth century
American art and people enthusiastic about South West culture and history. We as a society
are increasingly ready to live in a disposable world and our culture is increasingly leaning
towards this attitude, but how many gems of history do we lose because of this clean-outthe-clutter-disposable mentality?
In this case it is clear to see that this mural, The History of Ranching, was held in high value
and esteem when it was commissioned. It shows the importance of history and its
preservation on many levels as well; family history, heritage, both on a local and national
level, art, culture, and commercial. Hopefully in the future this mural, an important piece of
Texas history, can be returned to good condition again and represent the culture and
heritage so loved by Texans. If the local history and heritage groups as well as the
universities that have been involved continue on the path that they have, there is no reason
why this cannot happen. Though this famous artists work was, for many years effectively
lost, it continues to hold value with many people and our communities.

Story of the mural and its re-discovery by Dr. Dorey Schmidt:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_History_of_Ranching_(Winn)
Texas State University website page on Buck Winn Cattle Ranching Mural:
http://www.thewittliffcollections.txstate.edu/support/giving/buckwinn.html
The Wittliff Collections: http://www.thewittliffcollections.txstate.edu
Click here for Fine Art Conservation Laboratories lab tour:
http://www.FineArtConservationLab.com
Subscribe to this YouTube channel of entertaining art conservation videos:
http://www.Youtube.com/bestartdoc
FACL mural capability statement:
http://www.fineartconservationlab.com/mural/
FACL mural consultation statement:
http://www.fineartconservationlab.com/consultations/
FACL mural conservation, job specific videos on YouTube at
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE1FF71CC598A8E79
For FACL mural conservation capabilities overview videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld4l6EG8T-I&index=13&list=PLE1FF71CC598A8E79

Scott M. Haskins
805 570 4140 mobile, 805 564 3438 office
faclartdoc@gmail.com

FACL, Faclinc, Buck Winn, Wittliff Collections, Texas State University, Art conservation,
Mural conservation, Painting conservation, Art restoration, Mural restoration,
Painting restoration, The History of Ranching, Restoration of oversized artwork, Scott M.
Haskins Art Conservator, Fine Art Conservation Laboratories, Texas Art, Public Art,
Texan Art, Alkek Library, Buck Winn Cattle Ranching Mural, Dr. Dorey Schmidt, Diane
Stevenett Art Conservation Technician, Julie Stephens Art Conservator, Oriana Montemurro
Art Conservator, Virginia Panizzon Art Conservator, Danielle Masters Art Conservation
Technician