Toledo Museum of Art Acquires Hale Woodruff‘s Landmark ‘The Underground Railroad‘ Mural
Toledo, OH – The Toledo Museum of Art (TMA) has announced the acquisition of Hale Woodruff’s monumental six-panel mural, The Underground Railroad, a pivotal work depicting the harrowing journey to freedom for enslaved African Americans. The mural, completed in 1942, will be installed in a dedicated gallery space within the museum, opening to the public Febuary 25, 2023.
This acquisition marks a meaningful moment for both the museum and the broader art world, bringing a powerful and historically vital work to a new audience. The Underground Railroad is considered woodruff’s most crucial work and a cornerstone of American art, offering a visual narrative of courage, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of liberty. The mural’s arrival at TMA underscores the museum’s commitment to diversifying its collection and fostering dialog around social justice and American history.
Commissioned by the Works Progress Administration’s Federal Art Project for Talladega College in Alabama, The Underground Railroad depicts scenes of escape, aid from abolitionists, and the dangers faced by those seeking freedom. Woodruff, a leading figure in the Harlem Renaissance, meticulously researched the historical realities of the Underground Railroad, grounding his artistic vision in documented accounts and oral histories. The mural’s six panels illustrate the journey from slavery in the South to the promise of freedom in the North, culminating in a scene of arrival in Ohio.
“This is a watershed moment for the Toledo Museum of Art,” said Adam M. levine, TMA’s Edward Drummond and Florence Scott Libbey Director and CEO.”Hale Woodruff’s the Underground Railroad is a masterpiece of American art, and its presence hear will serve as a powerful catalyst for learning, reflection, and conversation.”
The mural’s journey to Toledo involved careful conservation work to ensure its preservation for future generations. TMA collaborated with leading conservators to stabilize the panels and restore their original vibrancy. The installation will be accompanied by educational programming, including lectures, workshops, and community engagement initiatives, designed to contextualize the mural within the broader history of slavery and the Underground Railroad.
Woodruff himself spoke to the importance of representing this history, stating, “I wanted to show the courage of these people, the determination to be free.” The Underground Railroad at TMA promises to do just that, offering a poignant and enduring testament to the human spirit’s unwavering quest for liberation.
