TOPEKA (KSNT) – The Combat Air Museum in Topeka is adding a major new exhibit to its collection: an 80-piece aviation art series centered on World War I flying ace Manfred von Richthofen, also known as The Red Baron.
New York illustrator Tom La Padula created the collection over two-and-a-half years after nearly 50 years of working in the illustration industry. What began as a single painting eventually grew into a full series focused on aviation history.
La Padula ultimately decided to donate the entire collection to the museum rather than sell the pieces individually, saying it was important to preserve the full story behind the work.
“I didn’t want to break up the set because it’s about 80 paintings. It’s not about one painting or two paintings, and it breaks up the narrative,” La Padula said.
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Museum officials said the donation will become a permanent exhibit, offering visitors a new way to experience history through art. The addition is expected to enhance the museum’s collection and bring a unique historical perspective to the Topeka community.
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