Prometheus (Orozco)
Prometheus () is a fresco by Mexican muralist José Clemente Orozco depicting the Greek Titan Prometheus stealing fire from the heavens to give to humans. It was commissioned for Pomona College's Frary Dining Hall and completed in June 1930, becoming the first modern fresco in the United States. It has received widespread critical acclaim. Description The mural is above a fireplace at the north end of the refectory of Frary Dining Hall at Pomona College. It consists of four panels: a main one facing the open eating area of the dining hall, two side ones, and an overhead one. The Titan Prometheus of ancient Greek mythology dominates the main panel, reaching for fire to give to humans, an act for which he would later be punished by Zeus. Surrounding his muscular, contorted figure is a crowd of people reacting to the gift, with some welcoming it and others scorning it. The color palette features heavy use of reds, blues, and black. Production The mural was commissioned in 1930 for Pomona's newly built neo-Gothic men's dining hall by its architect, Sumner Spaulding, and professor of art history and Hispanic studies . Journalist Alma Reed, a patron of Orozco's in New York,