The Campanella Collection of Original Works by Thomas Hart Benton
Sat, Dec 2, 2023 11:00AM EST
Live Auction
Lot 29
Thomas Hart Benton "Current River Bluff" Graphite (ca. 1962-63)
Sold for
$4,900
Sold Price excludes BP
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $5,000 | $250 |
| $10,000 | $500 |
| $20,000 | $1,000 |
| $50,000 | $2,500 |
| $75,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
Thomas Hart Benton
(Missouri, 1889-1975)
Current River Bluff, circa 1962-63
Graphite on paper
13 1/4" x 13 3/4"
Benton scholar Dr. Henry Adams: "[This drawing] shows the limestone cliff and slanting tree that appears in Cave Spring, but from quite a different angle. Benton seems to have taken some liberties with the motif in the painting. The canoe that appears in the painting is also visible in the drawing."
Matted to 24" x 20".
Condition
Foxing across the sheet (more concentrated toward the bottom), and stains in the canoe area at the lower left. Faint tape stain at the top left corner.
Overall Dimensions
Height: 24.00 in
Width: 20.00 in
Depth: 0.50 in
Available payment options
Acquired by Vincent and Leah Campanella directly from Thomas and Rita Benton over the course of their 25 year friendship. A portion of the collection was given to the Campanellas by Rita in 1975 as compensation for Vincent completing "The Sources of Country Music," the mural left unfinished when Tom passed away in 1975. Vincent Campanella was later prominently featured in the Ken Burns documentary Thomas Hart Benton (1988). In 2001, the Campanella family sold the collection to the current owner, a private Kansas City collector.
Benton scholar and author, Dr. Henry Adams, has authenticated the entire collection in person. You can find his essay documenting the 25 year tumultuous friendship of Vincent and Thomas and the origins of the collection at Circle-Auction.com. A copy of his essay will be provided to all winning bidders.