He became the director of the City Art Institute and School of Design in Kansas City, Missouri in 1935 and remained there for the rest of his life. After the decline of Regionalism, Benton began painting scenes of American history. He also wrote two autobiographies titled “An Artist in America” and “An American in Art.” He painted throughout his entire life of 76 years. In fact, at the time he passed away, he had his brushes in his hands and was seated in front of his final mural that he had just completed. The world's largest public collection of his works is located at Missouri's own Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
My mother was a huge fan of Bentons and during her periods of Bipolar Mania she would drag me all over the country to visit museums and gallery openings. I recall these times as the best in my childhood, and this is how my appreciation for the arts formed. My father on the other hand thought much differently, because of the huge amounts of money that my mother would spend and the fact that he was never really sure where we were or what she was "doing" in my presence. Needless to say my mother was prone to very risky behavior however, thats a whole different post.
I have had the opportunity to visit the Nelson-Atkins Museum and I have visited the murals at both the Missouri and Indiana Capitol Bulidings. If you ever have a chance to see Bentons work I urge you to do so. His paintings are wonderful!
Have a great day and as always comments are appreciated.
Labels: Art, Benton, Regionalism
N Posted by Rain at 10/03/2006 07:39:00 AM
posted at 9:08 PM
Arthur Quiller Couch posted at 5:32 AM
Lyndon posted at 12:44 PM
Rain posted at 9:37 PM
Name... Rain
From... West Coast, United States
I am a strong, sexy, intelligent, candid and loving woman who would do anything for her family. I am a mother of two.I have a sarcastic sense of humor,love to read and I am trying to stay positive in a difficult world.This is the place that I will use to perserve my sanity on the path that is called my life.
"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.It can turn a mealinto a feast, a house into a home,a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.~Melody Beattie
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