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      Past Exhibition

      American Epics: Thomas Hart Benton and Hollywood

      On view June 6, 2015 to September 7, 2015

      Today's hours:

      10 am–5 pm

      Monday

      10 am–5 pm

      Tuesday

      Closed

      Wednesday

      Closed

      Thursday

      10 am–5 pm

      Friday

      10 am–5 pm

      Saturday

      10 am–5 pm

      Sunday

      10 am–5 pm

      Monday

      10 am–5 pm

      Tuesday

      Closed

      Wednesday

      Closed

      Thursday

      10 am–5 pm

      Friday

      10 am–5 pm

      Saturday

      10 am–5 pm

      Sunday

      10 am–5 pm

      Benton reinvented national narratives for 20th-century America and captivated the public with his visual storytelling.

      This is the first major exhibition on Thomas Hart Benton (1889-1975) in more than 25 years and the first to explore important connections between Benton's art and the movies. After working briefly in the silent film industry, Benton became acutely aware of storytelling's shift toward motion pictures and developed a cinematic style of painting that melded European art historical traditions and modern movie production techniques. In paintings, murals, drawings, prints and illustrated books, Benton reinvented national narratives for 20th-century America and captivated the public with his visual storytelling.

      Organized by the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, Massachusetts, in collaboration with the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri, and Amon Carter Museum of American Art, Forth Worth, Texas.

      The exhibition was made possible in part by Bank of America and a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence. This exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities. The National Endowment for the Arts and Carolyn and Peter S. Lynch and The Lynch Foundation provided generous support. Christie's provided in-kind support. The East India Marine Associates of the Peabody Essex Museum also provided support.

      Touring schedule
      Tour duration: June 6, 2015 to September 5, 2016
      Peabody Essex Museum | pem.org | June 6, 2015–September 7, 2015
      The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art | nelson-atkins.org | October 10, 2015–January 3, 2016
      Amon Carter Museum of American Art | cartermuseum.org | February 6, 2016–May 1, 2016
      Milwaukee Art Museum | mam.org | June 9, 2016–September 5, 2016

      National Sponsor

      Bank of America

      Media Partners
      The Boston Globe,
      4WBZ, My38

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      PEMcast 005 - Epic American

      In this episode of the PEMcast, we examine the life of one of America's most famous 20th century painters who you may not know.

      American Epics book cover

      Exhibition catalogue

      This volume focuses on one of Benton's most American associations: Hollywood. Not only did Benton create commissioned murals and portraits of film stars and movies, but he also developed a style that was highly cinematic. This volume is the first to collect all the works conceived by Benton for the film industry.

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