David Swing Painting Collection at the Arizona Capitol Museum

About the Artist

David Swing (1864-1945) studied art under his father, Thomas Lindsey, before he began his career as a musician. He gave violin concerts in 1884 and played music in the orchestra of Theodore Thomas and the Pasadena Municipal Band. He organized and directed the Alhambra Municipal Band and Orchestra and played the violin and cello in the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra. From the start of his musical career, until his move to Phoenix, David Swing worked with lithograph firms as the president of an engraving firm. He eventually gave up his career as a musician in Phoenix to focus on painting desert life. Along with his Golden Gate International Exposition paintings, Swing also painted for Masonic temples, government hospitals, and theaters. He continued to paint until he passed away in 1945.

About the Collection

Carved reliefs

Commissioned by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), David Swing created 13 unique carved reliefs for the grandstand at the Arizona State Fairgrounds. These reliefs were contributed by the Arizona Exposition and State Fair and are included in this collection.

Golden Gate International Exposition at San Francisco, 1939

One of David Swing's greatest achievements was his commission to paint murals for the Arizona State exhibit at the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition in San Francisco California. His paintings feature nature, lush greenery and well-known places in Arizona including the Grand Canyon, the Petrified Forest, Arizona mountains, missions, Native ruins, and various dams and lakes.

Hand-written documents

Written communications in this collection include an invitation to a gallery exhibition in 1894, personal letters, and hand-drawn sketches by David Swing. These items were contributed by the Arizona Historical Foundation.