Archives of American Art

Thomas Hart Benton papers

Summary

Collection ID:
AAA.bentthom
Creators:
Benton, Thomas Hart, 1889-1975
Dates:
1906-1975
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
4 Reels
ca. 600 items (on 4 microfilm reels)
Repository:

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
Biographical material; an interview with Benton concerning his Truman Library mural; correspondence, including many illustrated letters to his parents written while he was in school, studying in Paris, and in the Navy in Virginia; a letter from Thomas Craven and one from Stanton Macdonald-Wright; manuscripts, including "An American in Art," "An Artist in America," "Death of Grant Wood," "American Regionalism," "Life in Paris," "The Intimate Story," "Politics," and notes on Jackson Pollock; notes and notebooks containing writings; a handwritten manuscript of his speech at the dedication of his Truman Library mural; a few sketches and plates of his illustration for TOM SAWYER; a catalog, printed articles by Benton, and clippings; research material; and a photograph of Benton.

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
Thomas Hart Benton (1889-1975) was an American Regionalist painter in Kansas City, Mo.

Administration

Existence and Location of Copies
35mm microfilm reels 2325-2328 available for use at Archives of American Art offices only.
Existence and Location of Originals
Originals in possession of Thomas Hart Benton and Rita P. Benton testamentary trusts.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Lent 1980 by Benton Testamentary Trusts, Lyman Field, trustee.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Access
The Archives of American art does not own the original papers. Use is limited to the microfilm copy.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Art, American -- Middle West Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Regionalism Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Art, Regional -- Middle West Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Mural painting and decoration -- Middle West Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Middle west in art Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Painters -- Middle West Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Pollock, Jackson, 1912-1956 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Wood, Grant, 1891-1942 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Craven, Thomas, b. 1889 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Macdonald-Wright, Stanton, 1890-1973 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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