Interior of a Farm House
Artist
Thomas Hart Benton
(American, 1889-1975)
Date1936
MediumTempera on board
DimensionsImage: 18 x 30 in. (45.7 x 76.2 cm)
Frame: 24 3/4 × 37 × 2 3/4 in. (62.9 × 94 × 7 cm)
Frame: 24 3/4 × 37 × 2 3/4 in. (62.9 × 94 × 7 cm)
ClassificationsPaintings
Credit LineMuseum purchase, 1976
Object numberSN950
This painting is a sketch for a large mural entitled The Social History of the State of Missouri that was commissioned for the State Capitol at Jefferson City in 1936. This was one of several large-scale works Benton produced for the Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) during the Great Depression. The different thematic sections of this anti-capitalist mural are divided by gray, architectural frames, also visible in the sketch. Considered to be one of Benton's masterpieces as a muralist, it celebrates his dedication and responsibility as an artist to the social and political issues of the day.
On View
Not on view
