BENTON, Thomas Hart, (American, 1889-1975): ''The Water Story'', Tempera on Gessoed Panel, 17'' x 14.5'', Sketch of Large Scale Mural Commissioned for a Store called ''Southern Drug'' in Washington D.C. Signed lower right, fine contemporary frame, 30'' x 27''. Provenance; commissioned by Family of Donald B. Stegner of NJ, for original mural that hung in Southern Drug, Michael Rosenfeld Gallery, Bond Street Gallery, SF, Laidlaw and Assoc, Galerie Adrienne. Exhibited ''Counterpoints: American Art 1930-1945'', Michael Rosenfeld Gallery, New York, 1991; ''The WPA Era: Urban Views and Visions'', Michael Rosenfeld Gallery, New York, 1992; ''Thomas Hart Benton'', Hirsch and Adler Gallery, New York, 1994. Benton was a painter and muralist who was a leader in the Regionalist art movement. The son of a politician, he rebelled to pursue art and was supported emotionally and financially by his mother. He studied in Chicago and Paris and eventually came to live for over 20 years in NYC. During WWI, he served in the Navy doing work that he considered the most important to himself as an artist. He was directed to illustrate life in the naval yard and drew camouflaged ships so they could be painted accurately and to aid in identifying lost ships. Benton was muralist who portrayed realities that some people did not want recognized such as slavery and the KKK. He was perhaps the most important painter of the American scene.
CONDITION: Some scattered flecks in left margin, not examined out of frame, sold as is. Certificate of Authenticity Included in Office