Donald Moss (1920 - 2010) "Palace of Fine Arts". Signed lower right. Oil on board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This artwork was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 18c Palace of Fine Arts stamp issued August 28, 1981. In spite of his classical training, architect Bernard Maybeck was a romantic at heart. His grand Palace of Fine Arts, depicted on this artwork, exemplifies all the splendor of his extraordinary creations. An arc-shaped gallery, elliptical colonnade and circular rotunda each were part of the original structure erected for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition of 1915. As the fair got underway, some Easterners drove clear across the continent just to see the spectacular Palace of Fine Arts. Unfortunately, the awe-inspiring edifice -- like many at the fair -- was constructed of plaster of Paris and hemp fiber over a wooden frame, so that it could be easily demolished after the exposition. But, no one could foresee how dear the imposing structure would become to San Franciscan hearts. As early as October, 1915, a movement to preserve the Palace was underway. 350,000 dollars were raised to duplicate the building in lasting materials. When the fair was destroyed and the ashes cleared, all that remained standing was the grand Palace of Fine Arts. Despite efforts at restoration over the years, the Palace became unsafe to enter and was fenced off as a public hazard. However, in 1959, philanthropist Walter S. Johnson came to the landmarks rescue by donating two million dollars to rebuild the Palace. Today, the Palace of Fine Arts is again in use, an architectural marvel today just as it was over sixty years ago. Overall Size: 24 x 20 in. Unframed. (B07352)