Thomas hart benton april 15, 1889 january 19, 1975 was an american painter and muralist. Neosho newton county, missouri, united states thomas hart benton was a famous painter and muralist who was born in neosho, missouri on april 15, 1889. His work is strongly associated with the midwestern united states, the region in which he. Few american artists have stirred so much love and hatred as he did in a career that lasted almost seventy years. Thomas hart benton was born in neosho, mo in 1889, the great, great nephew and namesake of missouris first senator.
Achelous and hercules smithsonian american art museum. Contributor names benton, thomas hart, 18891975, artist created published washington, d. His family migrated to tennessee, where his father died. Senator thomas hart benton engraving original antique. See available prints and multiples, works on paper, and paintings for sale and learn about the artist. Thomas hart benton home and studio missouri state historic site. Works thomas hart benton artistsmakers the nelsonatkins. The series provided the artist with the second most complex project of his emerging career. Thomas hart benton, headandshoulders portrait, facing front. There is nothing wonder in having any masterpieces or their reproductions at home, for example, trail riders of thomas hart benton is the most popular among connoisseurs of art. Thomas hart benton was born into a politically charged midwestern family. The army corps of engineers had begun efforts to control the missouri river, and benton imagined a future when the waterway was tamed, and the earth swelled with robust harvests. Ken burns tells the bittersweet story of an extraordinary american artist who became emblematic of the price all.
Born in neosho, missouri, in 1889, thomas hart benton began his art education at age sixteen in the art institute of chicago and at age. Named after his greatuncle, a fiveterm senator, thomas hart benton was born on april 15, 1889, in neosho, missouri. Returning to america to become a child controversy, benton enjoyed one of the most dramatic and interesting careers in. He studied at the art institute of chicago, and in paris, where he was exposed to a variety of techniques and theories of art. Apr 11, 2020 thomas hart benton, one of the foremost painters and muralists associated with the american regionalists of the 1930s.
Trail riders by thomas hart benton passion for paintings. For the year 1953 they chose this image originally created in 1944 which shows the residents of a rural community filing into church, evoking. Thomas hart benton 18891975 chronicled the beauty, joys and sorrows of everyday life in america, until the day he died. Benton was a member philanthropic society but was kicked out for stealing money from its members and left school in. Thomas hart benton was a painter and muralist considered to be one of the foremost figures of the american scene painting movement of the 1930s. Senator thomas hart benton engraving original antique steel. A member of the democratic party, he was an architect and champion of westward expansion by the united states, a cause that became known as manifest destiny. One of the central artists associated with the american regionalism movement, thomas hart benton strayed from the modernist trend toward abstraction in favor of a more representational, though stylized, approach.
Well known for his murals and portraits depicting everyday life, particularly in the midwest, benton authored two autobiographies, an artist in america 1937 and an american in art 1969. Thomas hart benton paintings for sale thomas hart benton. Along with john steuart curry and grant wood, benton captured rural american life during the 1920s and 1930s. Each thomas hart benton art print is produced using archival inks, ships within 48 hours, and comes with a 30day money back guarantee. Threshing wheat was created in 1939 by thomas hart benton in regionalism style. January february march april may june july august september october november december and january february march april may june july august september october november december retrieve. Bentons mythic scene also touched on the most compelling events of the late 1940s. He spent much of his childhood and adolescence in washington, d. He was elected to the national academy of design, has illustrated many books, wrote and twice appended his autobiography and is the subject of thomas hart benton, a documentary by ken burns. The arts of life in america new britain museum of american art. Edition 250 as published by associated american artis.
Thomas hart bentons most popular book is an artist in america. Letter from overseas smithsonian american art museum. Thomas hart benton, american writer and democratic party leader who championed agrarian interests and westward expansion during his 30year tenure as a senator from missouri. Controversial, flamboyant, contentious, brilliantthomas hart benton 18891975 was certainly all of those. A curious contradiction sits at the center of the nelsonatkins museum of arts recent exhibit, american epics. Shop for thomas hart benton art prints from our community of independent artists and iconic brands. Thomas hart benton has 141 books on goodreads with 976 ratings. Thomas hart benton, headandshoulders portrait, facing front summary democratic senator from missouri, 18211851. Thomas hart benton, born march 14, 1782, near hillsborough, north carolina, u.
Benton was born in 1889 in neosho, missouri, the oldest of four children. Each year, thomas hart benton and his wife ann would create a personal and seasonal illustrated greeting for their friends and family, which would be sent off in lieu of a traditional christmas card. Thomas hart benton was a senator and representative from missouri, born near hillsborough north carolina. In a series of eight paintings, benton portrayed the violence and barbarity of fascism. The fluid, sculpted figures in his paintings showed everyday people in scenes of life in the united states. Though benton gained fame as an artist in cities such as new york, chicago. Jun 15, 2010 thomas hart benton 18891975 painted the arts of life in america 1932 during the depths of the great depression. Along with grant wood and john steuart curry, he was at the. Graffiti art taken in a very famous street in duesseldorfgermany with a lot of.
Customize your thomas hart benton print with hundreds of different frames and mats, if desired. Dedication of charles banks wilsons sculpture of thomas hart benton at kansas city art institute 61689. His largescale works functioned as commentaries on societal injustices. His fluid, sculpted figures in his paintings showed everyday people in scenes of life in the united states. But beneath the denim and swagger, there lurks something else. Thomas piacenza benton, son of the worldrenowned artist thomas hart benton, died at his home in acton on feb. Thomas hart benton is perhaps the best known muralist associated with the american scene painting movement of the 1930s. Thomas hart benton paperback january 1, 1975 by matthew baigell author 4.
Miller, letter from overseas, 1943, lithograph on paper, smithsonian american art museum, bequest of frank mcclure, 1979. Thomas hart benton, born april 15, 1889, neosho, mo. Make offer thomas hart benton vintage color print in faux bamboo frame sugarcane 6. Find an indepth biography, exhibitions, original artworks for sale, the latest news, and sold auction prices. Along with grant wood and john steuart curry, he was at the forefront of the. Thomas hart benton depicted a selfreliant america emerging from the depression. Learn more about bentons life and career, including his position on various political issues. As a young man, benton was left in charge of considerable land holdings. Books by thomas hart benton author of an artist in america. Along with grant wood and john steuart curry, benton gained artistic fame as a regionalist painter, depicting the people and culture of the american midwest, in.
Thomas hart benton, born march 14, 1782, in hillsboro, north carolina, was one of the most colorful statesmen of the 19th century. Title az, title za, object date older first, object number ascending, primary maker az. Thomas hart benton, by matthew baigell by benton, thomas hart 18891975. Save this collection of the best iphone backgrounds and download all the images for free.
Thomas hart benton paintings for sale heritage auctions. Exhibits conflicts and operations world war ii thomas hart benton. Political leaders, artists, writers, architects and poets flowed through the bentons family life, influencing the family and, in turn, were enriched by their contact with thomas hart benton. You have a unique opportunity to enjoy viewing our huge collection of the worldfamous paintings. Thomas hart benton march 14, 1782 april 10, 1858, nicknamed old bullion, was a united states senator from missouri. Benton also became renowned for his mural cycles such as america today 19301931, the metropolitan museum of art that also evoke the immersive environment of the movie theater. Thomas hart benton smithsonian american art museum. His great uncle was missouris first senator, and his father was a congressional representative. Thomas hart benton was an american artist whose paintings, lithographs, and murals contributed to the regionalist movement. Buy war bonds summary poster shows soldier with factory workers and a factory in the background. Benton served in the senate from 1821 to 1851, becoming the first member of that body to serve five terms. Contributor names benton, thomas hart, 18891975, artist created. Baigell matthew benton thomas hart, first edition abebooks.
He attended the university of north carolina briefly in 1798. The benton home was a center of creative and cultural activity. Thomas hart benton, headandshoulders portrait, facing. Truman presidential library independence missouri usa 27946047578. The thomas hart benton group is a volunteer organization with members in the greater kansas city area and northwestern missouri. Thomas hart benton the race homeward bound drawings.
A native of the american midwest, benton made paintings and drawings depicting the realities of agrarian life and the pressures of industrialization. He was intensely ambitious and wanted to create murals that would. Thomas hart benton and hollywood explored, for the first time, how bentons early involvement with moviemaking affected his art and career. Thomas hart benton 18891975 benton fits the familiar mold of jack london, john steinbeck, ernest hemingwaythe roughneck artist, the temperamental genius disguised as a joe. Baigell, matthew and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Bentons work can be found at the met, the smithsonian, the truman library and many other museums and galleries across the u. Throughout the exhibit, kansas city native thomas hart bentons works invite viewers to reconsider elements of the american narrative from a different point of view. Thomas hart benton 18891975 the music lesson 1943, fath 60 lithograph, signed in pencil lower right. A native of the american midwest, benton made paintings and drawings depicting the realities of agrarian life and the pressures of. Few american artists have stirred so much love and. Benton s mythic scene also touched on the most compelling events of the late 1940s.
Tobacco farmer, oil and tempera on card board, signed lower right, unframed. Dispute roils estate of prominent american artist wsj. Thomas hart benton 17821858 wikitree free family tree. Find more prominent pieces of genre painting at best visual art database. Thomas hart benton the music lesson with images thomas. An american original thomas hart benton 18891975 was an artist whose images express his deepest feelings about american life and history, about love family and religion. Thomas hart benton was one of americas most popular and heavily patronized modern artists during the decades leading up to world war ii, and his murals were especially acclaimed. Along with grant wood and john steuart curry, he was at the forefront of the regionalist art movement. This piece captures the romantic image of a horse running against a backdrop of rolling hills. A wonderful steel plate engraving which would look beautiful hanging on your wall.
Controversial, flamboyant, contentious, brilliant thomas hart benton 18891975 was certainly all of those. Thomas hart benton american, 1889 1975 attributedmanner of. Returning to america to become a child controversy, benton enjoyed one of the most dramatic and interesting careers in american art. Apr 26, 2012 thomas hart benton is perhaps the best known muralist associated with the american scene painting movement of the 1930s. Thomas hart benton naval history and heritage navy. Born in neosho, missouri, in 1889, thomas hart benton began his art education at age sixteen in the art institute of chicago and at age nineteen studied in the latin quarter of paris. The sowers shows the enemy as bulky, brutish monsters tossing. Benton studied for years in paris and new york city during the 1920s when he would become. At present great attention is paid to worldknown paintings.
Thomas was the son of jesse benton and nancy gooch. Thomas hart benton 18891975 painted the arts of life in america 1932 during the depths of the great depression. Joan stahl american artists in photographic portraits from the peter a. Thomas hart benton christmas card for sale at 1stdibs. See more ideas about artist, thomas hart benton paintings and art thomas. The story behind thomas hart bentons incredible masterwork. The son of a member of congress, benton worked as a cartoonist for the joplin missouri american in 1906 and then studied at the art institute of chicago. An american scene painter who, along with john steuart curry and grant wood, was a leading regionalist painter of the 1930s. Thomas hart benton saw the legend as a parable of his beloved midwest. Thomas hart benton artwork for sale surovek gallery. As a painter he preferred a naturalistic and representational style and liked to paint people as. His pieces often challenge social ills while elevating the work of the everyman and the american landscape. His slightly earlier new school murals portrayed america at work while the arts of life described america at play.