The Campanella Collection of Original Works by Thomas Hart Benton
Sat, Dec 2, 2023 11:00AM EST
Live Auction
Lot 43
Thomas Hart Benton "Tractor Study, Kansas Wheat Scene" Graphite (1953)
Sold for
$3,400
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)
Tractor Study for Kansas Wheat Scene, 1953
Graphite on paper
7" x 8"
Benton scholar Dr. Henry Adams: "This is a study for Kansas Wheat Scene, 1953, now in the Spencer Museum of Art, Lawrence, Kansas. The painting formerly belonged to Benton’s friend Franklin Murphy, Chancellor of the University of Kansas. Benton also made a painting of a similar design ten years later, Boy, Dog, and Tractor (Kansas Wheat Scene), 1963, formerly in the collection of Samuel Sosland."
Matted to 20" x 16".
Condition
Good condition, noting two faint stain spots, and a bit of minor scraping scattered across the sheet.
Overall Dimensions
Height: 20.00 in
Width: 16.00 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.