Bidspirit auction | Thomas Hart Benton (1889-1975)

Thomas Hart Benton (1889-1975) - THOMAS HART BENTON PENCIL SKETCHES, HOLLYWOOD 1937-1940. Thomas Hart Benton (1889-1975) Hollywood Sketch Book Pages Circa 1937-1940 A collection of nineteen original graphite on paper studies in eight frames and archival museum mats. The artist's signature is visible through a window in one mat. Additional inscriptions include Crestview 8666 601 North Linden Drive, Beverly Hills Lily Damita. Crestview was a Beverly Hills telephone exchange prefix in the 1930s; 601 North Linden Drive, Beverly Hills was the home address of of Errol Flynn and his French American wife Lily (Lili) Damita from around 1935 to 1942. Another page is inscribed Errol Flynn Warner Bros. and George Rowan Trinity 0131; which can be traced to the Rowan Real Estate and Loan company in downtown Los Angeles. Benton had a significant and long-running relationship with the film industry, beginning in the late 1930s. In an Amon Carter Museum press release from 2015 relates that, ' During his month-long assignment in Hollywood, Benton used hundreds of graphite sketches to create 40 finished ink-and-wash drawings. ' leading up the the 1937-1938 mural Hollywood. Similarly, on Feb 4, 1938 the Springfield (Missouri) Leader and Press reported ' THOMAS HART BENTON, who draws pictures, is back in Kansas City after a sojourn to Hollywood to memorialize the film colony in oil for the magazine, Life. According to Springfieldians who visited Mr. Benton the other day, there is more to the job than just painting what he saw. The foundation of Mr. Benton's Hollywood sketches will be three large paintings portraying movies in the making.' Later, in 1940, Benton and eight other prominent American artists, were hired to document scenes and characters during the production of the film The Long Voyage Home. Overall framed size range from 19.25 x 25.75 to 22.75 x 36.5 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 Overall framed size range from 19.25 x 25.75 to 22.75 x 36.5 inches. Condition Very good condition, no major damage, stain, punctures, tears or repair; framed to archival standards in acid free mounts. Provenance Private collection, Kansas City, Missouri.