Review: Was Wyland's whale mural great art? No. But it's still a loss for Dallas

The official dedication of Wyland's giant mural of humpback whales in downtown Dallas in April 1999. File photo/Dallas Morning News Is it worth mourning the now-lost whale mural by Wyland, recently painted over by surprise? On this point, I had some initial doubts. The mural wouldn’t qualify as a work of artistic genius. It was covered up for many years. There are many dozens of other “Whaling Walls” in different cities that take the same basic approach. They have finite lifespans, and every so often one of them in Vancouver, or Milwaukee or Redondo Beach is threatened or destroyed. Time marches on. What’s the big deal?

Review: Was Wyland's whale mural great art? No. But it's still a loss for Dallas. The official dedication of Wyland's giant mural of humpback whales in downtown Dallas in April 1999. File photo/Dallas Morning News Is it worth mourning the now-lost whale mural by Wyland, recently painted over by surprise? On this point, I had some initial doubts. The mural wouldn’t qualify as a work of artistic genius. It was covered up for many years. There are many dozens of other “Whaling Walls” in different cities that take the same basic approach. They have finite lifespans, and every so often one of them in Vancouver, or Milwaukee or Redondo Beach is threatened or destroyed. Time marches on. What’s the big deal? Such a callous dismissal, though, is a mistake. Dallas’ mural struck a chord with the public, and with good reason. While it lasted, Wyland’...