The Hall of History in Commissioner’s House at the Bermuda National Museum is a mix of art and artefact.It is unique in that it has become history as it describes history, and the beautiful coffee-table book of the same name records that history-making process.Lavish, oversized, ‘Hall of History, Bermuda’s Story in Art’ will never replace the experience of being in the Hall of History itself. It will, however, enhance the experience, allowing a closer, more considered contemplation of Graham Foster’s 1,000-square-foot mural.In the preface, the mural is described as a “visual bible of Bermuda history”, so it is entirely appropriate that it should be captured in such a tome, the full-colour, large format pages allowing the reader to savour the oeuvre at one’s leisure.The introduction by American artist Janice Sorensen, and Mr Foster’s own statement enhances one’s appreciation of the oeuvre as a work of art, discoursing as it does on line, palette, perspective and the artist’s “intimate obsessive attention to detail”. So much for considering the art.Then comes the artefact: a description of the creative process from vague idea to finished work helps the viewer appreciate the enormity of the task of creating and erecting a mural in a “cavernous stairwell” that will survive a climate hostile to art. As Bermuda National Gallery director Lisa Howie notes, “There are different layers to the significance of the mural.” The book helps the reader peel back those layers to appreciate the work on many different levels. The section entitled Making the Mural is an artist’s statement, though Mr Foster’s informal tone eschews the esoteric for a more accessible insight into the artistic process: research, sketches, scale models and execution of the painting. The bulk of the book is a careful exposition of the artwork, each section introduced with an overview of the history written by Rosemary Jones before the panels are interpreted in more detail. Thus the events depicted are put in context. Ms Jones’ commentary that accompanies the full-page illustrations and detailed images, the high-resolution photographs by photographer Antoine Hunt, is part historical narrative, part artistic analysis and encourages the reader to go back for a closer look, Where’s Waldo style though it would be easier to pick out the vessels containing alcoholic beverages in almost every vignette. Thus one’s attention is drawn to things one might otherwise not notice.There is a final section that collates details under headings on particular topics, such as native birds, reptiles, and other animals, customs, couples and characters. The section on Getting Around, for example, depicts vehicles with precision, creating a pictorial history of the evolution of transportation in Bermuda. The fold-out pages at the end allow the reader to see the mural panels in their entirety, allowing one to appreciate just how much water figures in the early panels, and just how crowded the final panel is. A concise index is useful for easy reference.Sponsored by Rob and Mary Truland and the Truland Foundation, the book is priced at $65. In the introduction, Edward Harris, executive director of the National Museum of Bermuda, is quoted as saying, “Everything we do in this museum is to make history and heritage accessible to the public”. This book certainly does that, and makes one return for more.‘Hall of History, Bermuda’s Story in Art’ is available in stores Islandwide.