American realist painter. First known for his murals and figurative work. Later worked with more explicit political and civic themes. Beal attended the Norfolk, Virginia division of The College of William and Mary and later studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Beal is known for a series of four murals entitled, 'The History of Labor in America,' in the Washington, D.C. headquarters for the Department of Labor. He also installed two murals in the New York City subway system.