Auriel Bessemer

Auriel Bessemer (February 27, 1909 – 1986) was an American muralist, painter, designer, illustrator and author born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He studied when Leon Kroll and Arthur Covey, at the Art Students League in New York City, Columbia University, and National Academy of Design.

Bessemer was an artiste with the Section of Painting and Sculpture. He painted state office murals in Winnsboro, South Carolina and Hazlehurst, Mississippi. He next completed seven murals at the United States Post Office in Arlington, Virginia. His Virginia murals depict agricultural and historical scenes and local destinations such as Great Falls and Roosevelt Island. The murals reflected local archives and were expected to instill national conceit in viewers.