{"id":393712,"date":"2026-01-07T19:44:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-07T19:44:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/393712\/"},"modified":"2026-01-07T19:44:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T19:44:12","slug":"meet-the-artists-behind-birminghams-new-renaissance-murals-photos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/393712\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the artists behind Birmingham’s new Renaissance murals [Photos]"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"(Nathan(Left) The artists in front of Lady with an Ermine. (Right) Girl with a Pearl Earring. (Nathan Watson \/ Bham Now)<\/p>\n

Among the many new murals that stole the spotlight in Birmingham this year<\/a>, two stand out from the pack. Located along 2nd Avenue North, Lady with an Ermine and Girl with a Pearl Earring are faithful recreations of the renowned 15th- and 17th-century portraits painted by Leonardo da Vinci and Johannes Vermeer, respectively. <\/p>\n

We met with the team behind the project\u2014commissioner Edward Shaw and artists Shane B. and Andrew Tynes\u2014to learn more about the murals and what to expect next. <\/p>\n

How did downtown Birmingham become home to two Renaissance paintings?<\/p>\n

\"(AndrewThis recreation of Johannes Vermeer\u2019s Girl with a Pearl Earring rests on the east wall of a two-story building at 2206 2nd Avenue N<\/a>. (Andrew Tynes)<\/p>\n

The story behind Birmingham\u2019s new Renaissance murals begins with local businessman and avid art aficionado Edward Shaw. Shaw, who owns the two-story building on 2206 2nd Ave N,<\/a> saw its plain brick walls as a blank canvas deserving of a masterpiece. <\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I saw that big blank wall, I immediately thought of Johannes\u00a0Vermeer\u2019s Girl with a Pearl Earring. Plus, the dimensions of the wall were almost a perfect fit for the painting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Edward Shaw<\/p>\n

A block away, Shaw sought a second piece to adorn the Denechaud House at 2107 2nd Ave N,<\/a> headquarters for his company LLH Healthcare.<\/p>\n

\"LadyLady with an Ermine portrays a Renaissance-era mistress holding an ermine (also referred to as a stoat). (Nathan Watson \/ Bham Now)<\/p>\n

To help bring his visions to life, Shaw contacted Shane B. and Andrew Tynes\u2014two artists and longtime friends who founded Mammoth Murals<\/a> back in 2019. The duo has created several prominent public art installations in The Magic City (and beyond), including:<\/p>\n

\"Lady(L to R) Edward Shaw (project commissioner), Shane B. and Andrew Tynes (co-founders of Mammoth Murals). (Nathan Watson \/ Bham Now)<\/p>\n

Over a period of several months, Shane and Andrew meticulously researched both paintings to determine the scale and precise colors needed for a faithful recreation. <\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the most challenging parts to a project like this is getting the colors to match the original. Da Vinci\u2019s Lady with an Ermine was painted with oils on a wooden panel and Vermeer painted Girl with a Pearl Earring in oils on canvas\u2014remember, we\u2019re working with a brick wall!\u201d<\/p>\n

Shane B., Mammoth Murals<\/p>\n

Shane and Andrew completed Girl with a Pearl Earring in April and wrapped up Lady with an Ermine in November. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s my hope these pieces will brighten people\u2019s day and make them a little bit happier, or at least make them see the city if a different way than before. And that\u2019s what art does\u2014it changes you.<\/p>\n

As for the Birmingham Renaissance mural series, I have about six more pieces that have always spoken to me\u2014and I like buying buildings with big, blank walls!\u201d<\/p>\n

Edward Shaw<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s where you can see Birmingham\u2019s Renaissance murals<\/p>\n

\"LadyGirl with a Pearl Earring on the side of 2206 2nd Ave N. (Nathan Watson \/ Bham Now)<\/p>\n

Standing 34 feet tall and spanning 28 feet wide, the recreation of Johannes\u00a0Vermeer\u2019s Girl with a Pearl Earring adorns the east wall of 2206 2nd Avenue N.<\/a>, a historic two-story building dating back to 1902. <\/p>\n

Mural: A recreation of Johannes Vermeer\u2019s Girl with a Pearl Earring (c.\u00a01665) <\/p>\n

Location: The east wall of 2206 2nd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203<\/a><\/p>\n

Dimensions: 34\u2032 tall and 28\u2032 wide<\/p>\n

Artists: Shane B. and Andrew Tynes (Mammoth Murals)<\/p>\n

Commissioner: Edward Shaw<\/p>\n

The original Girl with a Pearl Earring was painted in oil on canvas by Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer. The painting features a mysterious, unidentified woman dressed in striking blue and yellow with a large, lustrous pearl dangling from her left ear. Sometimes referred to as the \u201cDutch Mona Lisa,\u201d Girl with a Pearl Earring is currently housed in the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague, the capital city of the Netherlands.<\/p>\n

\"LadyLady with an Ermine is located on the east wall of the Denechaud House on 2nd Avenue North. (Nathan Watson \/ Bham Now)<\/p>\n

Located one block west of Girl with a Pearl Earring, the recreation of Lady with an Ermine is even bigger at more than three stories tall and nearly 32 feet wide. Lady with an Ermine was painted on the east wall of the Denechaud House, a historic property built in 1887 as a short-lived hotel and restaurant. <\/p>\n

Mural: A recreation of Leonardo da Vinci\u2019s Lady with an Ermine (c.\u20091489\u20131491)<\/p>\n

Location: The east wall of the Denechaud House | 2107 2nd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203<\/a><\/p>\n

Dimensions: 45\u2032 tall and 31\u20196\u2033 wide<\/p>\n

Artists: Shane B. and Andrew Tynes (Mammoth Murals)<\/p>\n

Commissioner: Edward Shaw<\/p>\n

Originally painted by famed Italian artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci, Lady with an Ermine is one of only four surviving portraits of a woman painted by Leonardo\u2014the most famous of which is the Mona Lisa. Lady with an Ermine depicts Cecilia Gallerani, a mistress of the then-Duke of Milan,\u00a0Ludovico Sforza, and is currently housed at the Czartoryski Museum in Krak\u00f3w, Poland. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always been intrigued by Lady with an Ermine and how the subject is serenely looking off to the distance\u2014it makes you wonder what she\u2019s thinking. Although I never quite liked the ermine portion, there\u2019s a certain beauty that comes with the contrast. <\/p>\n

When I saw this wall [on the Denechaud House], I knew Lady was going to go there one day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Edward Shaw<\/p>\n

Which of the two new Renaissance murals do you like most? Which painting should the team recreate next\u2014and what building should be their next canvas? Tag us @bhamnow<\/a> to share your thoughts!<\/p>\n

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