Painting Description:
|
| Audie Murphy Portrait |
| Click the Portrait for a Closer Look |
This beautifully painted portrait of Audie Murphy hangs in the Texas State Capitol building in
downtown Austin, Texas. In a letter dated May 14, 1999 sent from the Texas State Preservation
board, they state ...
|
|
|
"Murphy's portrait was painted in 1950 by artist Kipp Soldwedel. As of March 19, 1999, the
Murphy portrait hangs in the House Chamber of the Texas State Capitol. Recently, the portrait
was on display at the Capitol Visotors' Center (which is the old General Land Office Building, or GLO)
in an exhibition commemorating native Texans who received the prestigious Medal of Honor for
service in a war. Prior to this exhibit, the portrait hung in the Senate Chamber on the second
floor in the east wing of the Capitol; and, before that the painting hung in the outer office of
the House Sergeant-at-Arms from circa 1951 until 1985."
|
In an email to the webmaster,
James C. Mosier writes ...
| |
The painting of Audie in the Texas Capitol was, as you say, hanging in the
Sergeant-At-Arms office until 1985. The painting was moved back into the House
where by law it was supposed to always hang. In 1979 I went to the capitol
to see this painting and found it hanging behind an office door in the Sergeant At Arms
office. It could not be viewed by the public. I fired off an angry
letter to the Governor of Texas and later to the Governor after him . Seven
years later and many more letters led to the painting being in a place of
honor in the capitol. Guided tours now make stops at the painting and the
history of Audie is told."
|
|
The brass plate
directly on the lower part of the frame reads:
Captain Audie Murphy
Painted by
Kipp Soldwedel, BFA, AFFAR
CAPTAIN MURPHY, TEXAS' OWN
is the most highly decorated soldier
bravery on the field of battle of World War II
|
|
|
|
| The attatched caption hanging under the portrait reads:
Captain Audie Murphy
Texas' Own
The most highly decorated soldier for bravery on the field of battle of World
War II. A native of Farmersville, Texas, he entered the Army at the age of
17 years, and showed such extraordinary and repeated valor in the face of
enemy fire, that he was, for his personal bravery, skill in handling his men
in combat, and voluntary assumptions of hazardous missions, awarded the
Congressional Medal of Honor; the Distinguished Service Cross; the Silver
Star with Oak Leaf Cluster; the Legion of Merit; the Bronze Star; the E.T.O.
Campaign ribbon with seven battle stars; a Presidentual Unit citation ribbon;
the Combat Infantry Badge; the French Legion of Honor Chevalier; the Croix de
Guerre with two palms; the Fouragere; and a Purple Heart with two Oak Leaf
Clusters.
|
|
|
|
|
Tour Times:
There are hour long FREE guided tours every 15 minutes. The tour times are weekdays
8:30 A.M.-4:15 P.M. and on weekends 9:30 A.M. - 4:15 P.M. Tours are conducted
by the Capitol Information and Guide Service. Their phone number is: (512) 463-0063
Purchasing A Copy of the Portrait
If you are interested in purchasing a copy of this portrait, prints may be
obtained by contacting:
ATTN: Curatorial Division
State Preservation Board
PO Box 13286
Austin, Texas 78711
Phone: (512) 463-5495
Fax: (512) 475-4886
Email: spbadmin@tspb.state.tx.us
|
|
|
Please call first to find out current pricing. Various sizes are available
and include 5"x7", 8"x10", 11"x14", and canvas-mounted prints as well. You
can also order either black and white or color versions.
Texas Walk of Fame
|
Audie's Star
Texas Walk of Fame
| Photo Provided by Jonathan R. Trappe |
|
|
This is Audie's star which is located along the Texas Walk of Fame at the
north east corner of 4th Street and Trinity in Austin, Texas. Texas is proud
of all its heroes and honors them in many ways. This is just another example
of how the Lone Star State has paid tribute to one of America's finest
soldiers.
|
|
|
