The Surovek Gallery in Palm Beach, Florida, is presenting a new exhibition of around 65 works by Thomas
Hart Benton (1889-1975), the famed Regionalist painter known for
chronicling the beauty, joys and sorrows of everyday life in America. On
view from February 7 to March 15, 2019,"Thomas Hart Benton: Mechanics of Form," the second presentation of Benton's art at the gallery, includes works in oil, watercolor, and other media.
Seminal works by Benton are on loan from private collections, along
with the Thomas Hart Benton Trust, and a large selection is offered for
sale. Highlights that span the artist's oeuvre include:
“Fisherman’s Camp, Buffalo River”, 1968;
Thomas Hart Benton, “Sea Phantasy I”, 1925-26. Oil on metal, 63 x 47 inches.
image: Surovek Gallery
“Sea Phantasy I”, 1925-26;
Thomas Hart Benton (1889-1975), Loading Hay, n.d., Watercolor and ink on paper, 14 1/2 x 22 in.
“Loading Hay”
Thomas Hart Benson, “The Processional”, 1944, Tempera on paper, 22 x 30 inches.(image: Surovek Gallery)
and “The Processional”, 1944.
"Thomas Hart Benton: Mechanics of Formstarted as a
discussion between two fine art dealers obsessed with Benton and it
blossomed into a collaboration that includes over seventy Benton
works coming from private collections across the country," says Clay
Surovek.
Thomas Hart Benton, “Youth Music - Study”, 1973. Oil on board, 14 ¼ x 17 ¾ inches.
image: Surovek Gallery
Surovek worked with Andrew and Kate Thompson of Lester Thompson Fine
Art, NY, on the exhibition. "Both Andrew and I have been immersed in
the work and study of Thomas Hart Benton for many years and we shared a
vision to present Benton’s work in a new light. In assembling a diverse
group of rarely seen paintings, the exhibition highlights
the significance of his early Modern works and illuminates Benton’s
entire career and his important place within 20th century American art,"
Surovek explains.
Surovek says the gallery had "the support of Jessie Benton and the
rest of the Benton family," along with the Thomas Hart and Rita Benton
Trust, "who have generously included a large group of early works that
serve as the foundation of this exhibition."
Dr. Henry Adams, the Benton expert, helped in organizing the show and wrote a catalogue essay.