Accession Number: 2003.185.74
Description: The painted plaster diorama shows figures of Christopher Columbus and 3 other explorers viewing land from the side of a ship. A background of sea, land and sky is painted on cardboard. The diorama is displayed in a wood case, painted black, with a top-hinged lid that can be propped open, and is viewed through a front glass-enclosed opening. The back panel of the case is hinged at the bottom and fastens at the top with a metal hook. A paper label with black lettering is glued to the top of the lid and reads "Columbus Sighting Land 1492" and is numbered D-4. "WPA, Kentucky Museum Project" appears within a shield design on the front left of the case. A Kentucky School for the Blind property label with number 107191 is attached to the top left of the case. Diorama was made by Works Progress Administration employees as part of a museum education project and was used at the Kentucky School for the Blind. Right foot of figure standing next to Columbus is chipped and has hairline crack; rail of ship is chipped at right end; paint is missing in small areas.
Date Made: ca. 1940
Collection: KSB Collection
History/Provenance: KSB Collection
Credit Line: Gift of the Kentucky School for the Blind, 2003.185
Subjects: Explorers. History. Instructional aids, tools, and supplies. North America.
Dimension Notes: 9 x 12 3/4 x 9 3/4 in.
Made: Kentucky Museum Project, WPA
Material: Plaster, cardboard, glass
Updated: 06/24/2021
