Bidspirit auction | Thomas Hart Benton (1889-1975)

Thomas Hart Benton (1889-1975) - THOMAS HART BENTON (1889-1975) OZARKS WATERCOLOR STUDY. Thomas Hart Benton (1889-1975) On the Buffalo River 1968 The watercolor study on paper is signed and dated in graphite lower right front. This work from the distinguished collection of James and Virginia Moffett of Kansas City has been examined by and is well-known to Henry Adams. All indications are that this is the 10 x 13 inch study executed on Thomas Hart Benton's 1968 sketching trip down the Buffalo River in the Ozark region of northwest Arkansas. It depicts the distinctive formation known as the Bat House or Skull Bluff. That particular float trip, documented by R. K. Sanford in Auto Club News (July 1968) under the title Tom Benton Calls on a Bluff on the Buffalo River , resulted in four known works including a large oil and casein on masonite sold at Christie's in May of 2022 for $1,380,000.00 and a study measuring 10 x 13 inches. With an exact sheet size of 10 x 13 3/8 inches, the present work corresponds closely in size and composition to that documented study, suggesting this is the original plein-air sketch that informed Benton's subsequent studio paintings. In his piece for Auto Club News , Robert Sanford writes, ''Being the way it is, the Buffalo has admirers in numbers… Among them is Thomas Hart Benton, distinguished painter of the American Scene, a man who knows a vista when he sees one… With a specific scene in mind, Benton went back to the Buffalo last month… to sketch a bluff known as the Bat House. The Bat House, a solid mass of rock about 100 feet high, had three tunnel-like openings about 15 feet high at the water level that had been worn there by the river.… 'That's a fine piece of natural sculpture, ' he (Benton) said.…''' Sight size measures 9 x 12.25, sheet is 10 x 13.5, with a framed size of 15.75 x 19 inches. Without proof of exemption, be aware that internet sales tax applies to all Internet transactions and local sales tax may apply to local pick-up transactions. We happily provide seamless in-house packing and shipping services on nearly everything we sell. Until further notice, we cannot offer international shipping in-house. Dimensions Sight size measures 9 x 12.25, sheet is 10 x 13.5, with a framed size of 15.75 x 19 inches. Condition Very good to fine, very clean, intact, no stain, fade, damage, repair, punctures or tears. The colors are bright, the piece intact, framed to archival standards. Provenance The Collection of James and Virginia Moffett, Kansas City, Missouri.