Famed Texas Paintings Need Cleaning

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ Spring cleaning could be in store for some historic paintings in the Texas Senate chamber.

Sen. Steve Ogden, R-Bryan, is suggesting special funding might be needed to restore the artwork, which appears to have darkened in the past decade or so.

The Austin American-Statesman reported Monday that “Dawn at the Alamo,” a panoramic scene of the famous battle, is among those appearing to darken. The painting has graced the back of the Senate chamber since the early 1900s.

Another work, “The Battle of San Jacinto,” also could use a cleaning.

Ogden, who chairs the budget-writing Senate Finance Committee, will receive cost estimates with help from the State Preservation Board.

Board interim executive director John Sneed says the paintings were last cleaned in 1993 during Capitol restoration.

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