Cairn mural in Evolution of the Book series 1896

John White Alexander created this mural, part of the “Evolution of the Book” series, at the turn of the 20th century. It depicts a group of men constructing a cairn, a human-made pile of stones, often used as a memorial or landmark. Painted during a period of significant industrial and social change, Alexander presents an idealized vision of early labor and community. The muscular figures, seemingly unburdened by the complexities of modern life, engage in a communal act of creation, building not just a structure but, metaphorically, the foundations of civilization. Yet, this romantic portrayal invites questions about who is included and excluded in this narrative of progress. The absence of women, the emphasis on physical strength, and the uncritical depiction of labor reflect the period's gender and class dynamics. By focusing on the physicality of this labor, how does it connect to the intellectual labor that will come to create books? Alexander's mural prompts us to consider whose stories are told and whose are left out.