STARTS
2015-10-10 00:00:00
Ends
2016-01-03 23:59:59
Location
American Epics
American Epics: Thomas Hart Benton and Hollywood
The first major exhibition on Thomas Hart Benton in more than 25 years, American Epics: Thomas Hart Benton and Hollywood reveals the fascinating but overlooked relationship between Benton’s art, movie making and visual storytelling in 20th-century America.
Benton’s early experiences on silent movie sets in Fort Lee, New Jersey—the first “Hollywood”—and later in Hollywood itself influenced his acute awareness of contemporary storytelling’s shift toward movies and inspired his signature style of painting that melded centuries-old traditions with more recent movie-production techniques to tell stories that appealed to a broad range of Americans.
The exhibition brings together nearly 100 works by Benton including 50 paintings and murals, as well as a selection of his drawings, prints and illustrated books. It also presents rarely seen archival photographs, related ephemera, film clips and stills that highlight the allure of his paintings’ cinematic content, composition and technical underpinnings.
Exhibition Programs
Special Presentation
Epic Thomas Hart Benton
Sat, Oct 10
2-3 pm | Atkins Auditorium
Austen Barron Bailly, George Putnam Curator of American Art at the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA, and Mary Schafer, Conservator, Paintings at the Nelson-Atkins, discuss Benton’s dynamic paintings to celebrate the opening day of the exhibition.
Special Presentation
Thomas Hart Benton, Modern Art and the Movies
Sun, Nov 15 | 2 pm
Join Erika Doss as she discusses how the movies inspired Benton’s dynamic painting style and shaped his perspectives on public art, American history and storytelling.
Third Thursday
Old Hollywood
Thurs, Nov 19 | 6-9 pm
Your not-so-quiet night at the museum! Join the revelry every third Thursday of the month for live music, free programs, art activities and more that showcase local talents…all just for adults! Designed for college-age and above, but all adults are welcome.
Kansas City Remembers
Thomas Hart Benton: The Man and the Inspiration
Thurs, Dec 10 | 6 pm
Hear unique stories about Kansas City’s famous son from those who knew him or have been inspired by him. Then share your thoughts and reflections with speakers and fellow participants during an intimate remembrance.
Saturday Matinees: American Epics
2 pm | Atkins Auditorium
Free; tickets required.
The museum screens three classic films connected with Benton’s artistic vision and highlighted in the exhibition. Introductions by noted film scholars precede each screening.
November 7
A Star is Born, 1937
111 minutes
November 14
The Grapes of Wrath, 1940
129 minutes
November 21
The Kentuckian, 1955
104 minutes
Member Programs
Member Preview Days
Oct 8 & 9 | 10 am-5 pm
Members can see the exhibition before it opens to the public.
Enhanced Art Experience
Family level members and above
Oct 9 | 6-7:30 pm
Austen Barron Bailly, curator at the Peabody Essex Museum, will lead a riveting conversation on Benton’s works. Followed by an exclusive cocktail reception.
Friends of Art Member Night
Oct 9 | 7-9 pm
Put on the ritz and celebrate Benton, red carpet style. Live entertainment and cash bar.
YFA Happy Hour
Oct 9 | 6-8 pm
Network with young professionals and join the revelry during the opening of American Epics: Thomas Hart Benton and Hollywood.
Learn More
Research guides for this and other exhibitions are available. We invite you to visit the Spencer Art Reference Library Reading Room for more information.
The Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, Massachusetts, organized this exhibition in collaboration with The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Amon Carter Museum of American Art. The national tour of this exhibition is sponsored by Bank of America.
In Kansas City, this exhibition is supported by Paul DeBruce, Shirley and Barnett C. Helzberg, Jr., the Committee of 100, the Marguerite M. Peet Museum Trust, John and Kay Callison, James B. Nutter & Company, the R.C. Kemper, Jr. Charitable Trust, UMB Bank, n.a., Trustee, G. Kenneth and Ann Baum, Henry W. Bloch, Nancy and Rick Green, Belger Cartage Service, Inc., the Barton P. and Mary D. Cohen Charitable Trust, the Hunt Family Foundation, the Sosland Foundation, the Thomas & Sally Wood Family Foundation, the Elizabeth C. Bonner Charitable Trust, the Nelson-Atkins Docents and our Honorary Committee. (as of September 22, 2015)
This exhibition was made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Celebrating 50 years of Excellence, with additional support from the National Endowment for the Arts. The exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and Humanities.
