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Prometheus

Art & landmarks
In Claremont, California
0.4 mi from Route 66

Prometheus is a fresco painted by the Mexican muralist José Clemente Orozco for Frary Dining Hall at Pomona College in Claremont, CA, less than a mile off the old road. Finished in June 1930, it is regarded as the earliest modern fresco anywhere in the country, and critics have praised it widely. For Route 66 travelers with an interest in art, it is a rare chance to see a major mural close to the highway.

What is Prometheus?

The mural shows the Titan Prometheus of Greek myth taking fire from the heavens and bringing it down to humankind. Orozco painted it as a true fresco, with pigment applied into wet plaster so the image becomes part of the wall. The work is known in Spanish as Prometeo, and it is owned by the college's Benton Museum of Art.

History of Prometheus

Pomona College commissioned the piece for its Frary Dining Hall, and Orozco completed it in June 1930. That date gives it a special place in American art history as the earliest modern fresco in the country.

Visiting Prometheus: tips

The fresco is inside a working college dining hall, so check with Pomona College or the Benton Museum of Art about access before planning a visit. Brackett Observatory is only 0.2 miles away, the Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery about 0.3 miles, and the Benton Museum of Art about 0.4 miles, making it easy to pair with other Claremont stops.

Practical info

On site & nearby

Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix

Where to eat near Prometheus

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Diner & restaurant
Magic Lamp Inn
Rancho Cucamonga, CA · 4.8 mi from Prometheus
A 1950s Route 66 steakhouse whose Aladdin's-lamp neon sign burns a real gas flame after dark.
Diner & restaurant
Sycamore Inn
Rancho Cucamonga, CA · 5.0 mi from Prometheus
A steakhouse in a 1920 inn on Foothill Boulevard, on a site that fed travelers long before Route 66 existed.