Paul Cadmus Pocahontas Rescuing John Smith 1939 The mural was commissioned by the Section of Fine Arts, Works Progress Administration, for the west wall ofthe public lobby of the Parcel Post Building, adjacent to the U.S. Courthouse in Richmond, Virginia. The saving of the life of John Smith by the indian maid, Pocahontas, was a highly dramatic incident in the early history of Richmond. This romantic and historical event is portrayed with the vigor and color characteristic of Cadmus's work. The two side panels contain portraits of Sir Walter Raleigh, the explorer, and William Byrd, founder of Richmond. They are executed en grisaille, a monochromatic style of painting in shades ofgray, used particularly to depict a subject in relief. Paul Cadmus was born in New York City on December 17, 1904. He studied at the National Academy of Design under William Auerbach-Levy, Charles Hawthorne, and others. He also studied for two seasons at the Art Students League under Joseph Pennell and Charles Locke. After working in the art department of an advertising agency, he went to Mallorca, Italy where he studied painting for two years. His works are in the permanent collections of the Whitney Museum of American Art, in New York City, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Baltimore Museum of Art, and other prominent institutions. Fine Arts Collection Public Building Service General Services Administration From a plaque in the Virginia Federal Courthouse Library.