Bunker Hill #1

Artist Ralph Hulett (1915 - 1974)

Date1948

MediumOil on canvas

Dimensions15 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. (39.4 x 59.7 cm)

ClassificationsPainting

Credit LineGift of the Hilbert Collection

Object number2019.242

DescriptionAfter World War II the city of Los Angeles began a series of redevelopment projects. These were an effort to change the entire city by bulldozing down the structures in many parts of the city that a committee determined to be “blighted areas”. Whole neighborhoods were purchased using eminent domain laws and the structures were demolished. To make room for high rise buildings, earth moving equipment was brought in and many of the prominent hills of Los Angeles were leveled. This included most of the important historical place known as Fort Moore Hill (Poundcake Hill) and Court Hill where many of the first motion picture produced in Southern California were filmed. One of the biggest projects was the demolition of hundreds of old Victorian era homes and structures on Bunker Hill. Before this took place, artist Ralph Hulett made a point of painting a series of works depicting what Bunker Hill looked like in the years right before the redevelopment projects eliminated the structures and hill all together. This painting is from that series.

On View

Not on view