At the home of Thomas Hart Benton

This was my second trip to the home of Thomas Hart Benton. The photo above is a vintage figurine that is in his wife's bedroom. If you are in the Kansas City area or are planning to be, it's a must see. You can learn all about his life and see many original paintings and drawings through out his home. The carriage house was his studio which is where he died in 1975. The parks department left his studio just as he left it. For more info: click here.

Thomas Hart Benton

 Thomas Hart Benton

American, 1889-1939

Persephone, 1938-1939

Tempera with oil glazes on canvas, mounted on panel

Benton’s Persephone appears as a sunbathing farm girl. Hades is shown as a lustful, aging farmer with a rickety cart for his chariot. His facial features appear similar to Benton’s own, although he used a local model.

Note: It is rumored to be Benton and his wife in this painting.

This painting is displayed at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri.