Progress of Man Mural
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Belle Baranceanu of San Diego in Balboa Park
Tip of the Week: March 31, 2007
San Diego has had its share of colorful characters and Belle Baranceanu is no exception. Born in Chicago, the muralist/painter/teacher moved to San Diego in the 1930s. She lived in La Jolla and was known around the village for her eccentric behavior and her penchant for wearing "mannish" clothing.
Nevertheless, she was an accomplished artist and San Diego benefited greatly from her talent. During the Depression, Belle painted large-scale murals and book illustrations for local schools, including Roosevelt Junior High
Mural Feauring Donal Hord
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("Building Padre Dam" and "Portola's Departure") and La Jolla High School ("The Seven Lively Arts").
She was also commissioned by the Section of Fine Arts (part of President Roosevelt's 'New Deal' program which made art accessible to an economically depressed public to paint murals for La Jolla's Post Office ("California Landscape" and "Scenic View of the Village") and the Balboa Park Club ("Progress of Man"). Thankfully, both these murals can still be seen today at
these two locations.
Upon her death in 1988, Belle Baranceanu's left much of her work and personal effects to the care of the San Diego Historical Society. The San Diego Historical Society has had exhibits of her work in the past and we expect that they will continue to do so, given her colorful history in San Diego.
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