Title: Enlightenment
Year: 1963
Artist: Jack Bechtel
Medium: Mural (Fresco)
Location: Kitchener Public Library, Main Branch
85 Queen Street North
Kitchener, ON
N2H 2H1
Acquisition Method: Other (Canada Arts Council)
In January 1962, artist Jack Bechtel was commissioned to create a mural to
decorate the lounge of the new main branch of the Kitchener Public Library
(KPL). KPL received financial assistance from the Canada Council for this
project.
The artist worked for six months to create the mural. To work undisturbed,
Bechtel worked from library closing until dawn. The paint chosen for this piece
was an acrylic polymer emulsion which should last as long as does the wall. The
final mural measures 12.5 x 36 feet.
The theme of the mural is man’s historical striving for knowledge. It was officially
unveiled on November 2, 1962.
Jack Bechtel died from cancer in September 1966. His best-known work was
considered to be “Enlightenment”, his 560 square foot mural at KPL.