Sunday, June 28, 2026

SITAR 6/28/26

 Welcome to

SITAR is about ANYTHING art. Your art, someone else's art, writing, photography, the art of cooking, the art of sewing and textiles. Sharing historical art, street art, a story about art. Do you have a question or need help with art? Write a blog post and link it up here. We will all try to help with it. My only rule is that if someone asks for critique it must be done with generosity and consideration. 
This is a place of learning, encouragement and inspiration.
 Thomas Hart Benton
(April 15, 1889-January 19, 1975)
Thomas was an American painter, muralist and printmaker. Along with Gran Wood and John Steuart Curry he was at the forefront of the Regionalist art movement. He fluid sculptured figures in his paintings showed everyday people in scenes of life in the US.  His work is strongly associated with the Midwestern US, the region in which he was born and called home for most of his life. He also studied in Paris and lived in N.Y. city for more than 20 years where he painted scores of work. For 50 years he summered on Martha's Vineyard and also painted scenes of the American South and West. 
 
Some of his lithographs.
Instruction 1940
 
Spring Tryout 1943
 
Huck Finn 1936

Given his father's political career, Benton spent his childhood shuttling between Washington, D.C., and Missouri. His father sent him to Western Military Academy in 1905–06, hoping to shape him for a political career. Growing up in two different cultures, Benton rebelled against his father's plans. He wanted to develop his interest in art, which his mother supported. As a teenager, he worked as a cartoonist for the Joplin American newspaper, in Joplin, Missouri.

With his mother's encouragement, in 1907 Benton enrolled at The School of The Art Institute of Chicago. Two years later, he moved to Paris in 1909 to continue his art education at the Académie Julian.  His mother supported him financially and emotionally to work at art until he married in his early 30s. His sister Mildred said, "My mother was a great power in his growing up

Paintings
Self Portrait 1970

Joplin Mural
 
Sugar Cane 1945
 
Bicyclers 1960-61
Aaron 1941

Chillmark landscape 1922

Thomas has created thousands of art pieces, including many drawings, sketches, 93 lithographs and acrylics. 
A comprehensive catalogue raisonne' of his paintings is currently being prepared by The Thomas Hart Benton Catalogue Raisonne' Foundation. 
 
I hope you enjoyed just a little about Thomas and his art. 
 

I will be linking with Gillena
 
Now show me some of your Sunday Art. 
Nicole 
 

20 comments:

Iris Flavia said...

He and his Mother sure were - very luckily - strong minded! Especially for those times! Very interest, Nicole! And beautiful art, too.

jabblog said...

That was so interesting. Thank you.

Juvenal Nunes said...

Não conhecia o artista e agradeço tê-lo dado a conhecer.
Pelos trabalhos que publica vê-se que é um artista de superior qualidade.
Abraço de amizade.
Juvenal Nunes

Jeanie said...

Hi work tends to appeal to me. His use of color is wonderful and he really captures this country.

My name is Erika. said...

He definitely had a style. His work looks a lot of what I think of when I think of 1940's art. Maybe because his Regionalism was so popular or maybe because people in my family had some similar style art. I'm not sure, but I never really thought about how modern art had so many styles. Have a super Sunday. hugs-Erika

Gene Black said...

This is another artist of which I wasn't aware. I think I like his self-portrait 1970 best.

Anvilcloud said...

I liked his people portraits.

LA Paylor said...

I love to learn about other artists' lives
My name came up automatically with that tag from last time, grrr, but it's a good link, LeeAnna

kwarkito said...

Merci de nous parler de cet artiste que pour ma part je ne connaissais pas

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Hi Nicole -- Just popping in to say thanks for this post -- I have not heard of this artist before but enjoyed learning about him and seeing some of his artworks!

Carola Bartz said...

Good thing he had such a supportive mother! This is a new artist for me and I really like his landscapes, they are captivating. Thank you for introducing me to this artist.

Angie's Recipes said...

Beautiful art! He was for sure an talent. I love esp. the portraits with such amazing details.

Gillena Cox said...

Happy Sunday, Nicole,. Thanks for linking to SundaySmiles

Much love

Tom said...

...I love Chillmark landscape 1922! I'm sorry to late to the party, I was on the road with awful internet!

Mary Kirkland said...

It was great to learn something new. I hope you are well. Have a great week.

Lowcarb team member said...

A very interesting read.

All the best Jan

Margaret D said...

His paintings are very definite as in not blending one colour into another which is the way he painted, nothing wrong with that as they a lovely, Nicole.

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

What talent. It would have been a shame if he did not pursue it.

Andrea @ From The Sol said...

This artwork is amazing and heart rendering. He captures a reality that few of us see. Thank you, Nicole. I hope you are feeling better. I know Lupus can be hard, I hope you will tell us when the Thomas Benton Book comes out. Get well ...

Andrea @ From the Sol

Michelle said...

Such talent and I like the form and color in the work. I learned something new here. Thank you!