Twenty-nine New Deal murals above the lobby of the Rincon Center that have become caked in grime are being restored to their original state. The murals, by Anton Refregier, show scenes from San Francisco history, but were condemned at the time of their painting because of their controversial depictions of California pioneers (including some paunchy-looking missionaries), a hanging scene, and the presence of a Soviet hammer and sickle. Now the murals are on the National Register of Historic Places and are being meticulously preserved. [SFGate]
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