Kansas Day Trivia #2
What is the name of the mural portraying John Brown in the State Capitol building?
Tragic Prelude, 1938
Tragic Prelude was painted by Kansan John Steuart Curry for the Kansas Capital building in Topeka, Kansas. On the north wall it depicts abolitionist Kansan John Brown with a Bible in one hand, on which the Greek letters alpha and omega of Apocalypse 1:8 can be seen.In his other hand he holds a rifle, referred to as a “Beecher’s Bible”.
The mural is filled with symbolism that refers to “Bleeding Kansas” (1854-1860) which is seen as a prelude or dress rehearsal for the Civil War.