América Tropical after its completion. This black and white photograph of the mural shows details of the work now unreadable given its poor state of preservation. Photo: El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument.

Another historical photograph showing the south-facing wall of the Italian Hall where the mural is situated. The losses in the upper right corner of the mural occurred during the Sylmar earthquake of 1971. Photo: El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument.

The shed protecting the mural at the time of the 1990 conservation campaign. The current project will include the construction of a protective shelter that permits the visitor to view the mural. Photo: Nancy Kaye.

A partial view of the mural during the 1990 conservation effort. In the background, on scaffolding, are conservators at work. In the foreground to the right, the mural's central figure, a Mexican Indian crucified on a double cross, can be seen. Photo: Nancy Kaye.

Two conservators plug holes and plaster cracks in the surface of América Tropical during the 1990 conservation of the mural. Photo: Nancy Kaye.

Conservator Augustín Espinosa working on the mural in 1990. Using a needle, he is delicately removing traces of white overpaint from the mural's surface. Photo: Nancy Kaye.

The digital imaging of the mural in 1994. GCI staff member Eric Lange mounts a filter wheel on the Hasselblad camera with a digital camera back that was used in the imaging process. Photo: Mitchell Bishop.

GCI staff members Irene Sen and Angelyn Bass conducting the condition survey of the mural in 1997. Photo: Leslie Rainer.

A digital composite image of the mural in 1994. The image was created using an on site digital imaging process, designed at the Conservation Institute and used by staff to capture and store detailed, high resolution images of the entire mural. The information will assist in the mural's documentation and final conservation. Photo: Eric Lange.

The uncovered mural as seen in October 2002 from the rooftop of the Hammel Building. Photo: Leslie Rainer.

The current protective structure of Lexan and metal. Photo: Leslie Rainer.

Schematic design of the shelter for the mural as seen from a distance. Image: Pugh + Scarpa Architects

Schematic design of the mural viewing platform. Image: Pugh + Scarpa Architects

Schematic design of the shelter for the mural as seen from Olvera Street. Image: Pugh + Scarpa Architects

GCI Director Tim Whalen delivering opening remarks during the ceremony to break ground for the protective shelter, viewing platform, and interpretive center. Photo: Stacey Rain Strickler, J. Paul Getty Trust.

GCI staff explaining plans for the shelter, viewing platform and interpretive center to guests and journalist at the September 2010 groundbreaking. Photo: Stacey Rain Strickler, J. Paul Getty Trust.