Thomas Hart Benton

(Missouri, 1889-1975)

Studies for 'Ozark Reflections' and 'School Bus,' 1961

Graphite on paper

12 1/4" x 16 1/2"

Benton scholar Dr. Henry Adams: "Benton used this landscape as the basis for the painting Ozark Reflections, 1961, to which he added a canoe with two canoers in the foreground. The sketch was probably made on the Current River in Northeast Arkansas. The two sketches of a school bus on this same sheet were preliminary studies for a more finished drawing, School Bus, 1962."

Artist notation to the bottom right corner "Dissolve Vinylite Crystals in Methyl Alcohol Varnish for Liquitex (Polymer T...)." Matted to 20" x 24".

Provenance

Benton scholar and author, Dr. Henry Adams, has authenticated the entire collection in person. You can find his essay documenting the 25 year tumultuous friendship of Vincent and Thomas and the origins of the collection at Circle-Auction.com. A copy of his essay will be provided to all winning bidders.

Prominent sepia spatter across the sheet (presumably occurring as the artist worked from the studies), as well as a handful of other minor faint spots.