Thomas Hart Benton And the Navy

16 Feb — 3 Jun 2018 at the Cummer Museum in Jacksonville, United States

24 August 2017

Thomas Hart Benton (American, 1889 –1975), Up the Hatch, 1943, oil on press board, 37 x 27 in. (framed dim.), Navy Art Collection, Naval History and Heritage Command, Washington, D.C., 88-159-BQ.

Thomas Hart Benton and the Navy presents an important series of 24 paintings and drawings that capture the heroic actions and moments of respite that made up life aboard submarines and around shipyards during World War II.

The artist, one of the more formidable personalities in American art, would have been familiar with such realities having served in the Navy during World War I. In the 1940s, Benton’s patriotic ardour, which remained a driving force throughout his career, drew the attention of Abbott Laboratories, a leading pharmaceutical company that wound up underwriting the artist’s work throughout the war.

Abbott later donated many of Benton's World War II era images to the United States Naval History and Heritage Command, which generously lent them for this exhibition.

Cummer Museum

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is a vital community partner that reaches out to diverse audiences through outstanding artistic offerings, dynamic learning experiences, and opportunities to participate in the beauty of the natural world.

Museum profile

Location

Jacksonville, United States

Founded in

1958

Thomas Hart Benton (American, 1889 – 1975), Slumber Deep, 1943, watercolor on paper, 20 x 23 in. (framed dim.), Navy Art Collection, Naval History and Heritage Command, Washington, D.C., 88-159-BO.

Thomas Hart Benton (American, 1889 – 1975), All Work, 1944, pen and ink with wash on paper, 23 x 26 in. (framed dim.), Navy Art Collection, Naval History and Heritage Command, Washington, D.C., 88-159-BB.

Thomas Hart Benton (American, 1889 – 1975), Cut the Line, 1944, oil on canvas, 39 x 54 in. (framed dim.), Navy Art Collection, Naval History and Heritage Command, Washington, D.C., 88-159-BO.

Thomas Hart Benton (American, 1889 – 1975), Slumber Deep, 1943, watercolor on paper, 20 x 23 in. (framed dim.), Navy Art Collection, Naval History and Heritage Command, Washington, D.C., 88-159-BO.
Thomas Hart Benton (American, 1889 – 1975), All Work, 1944, pen and ink with wash on paper, 23 x 26 in. (framed dim.), Navy Art Collection, Naval History and Heritage Command, Washington, D.C., 88-159-BB.
Thomas Hart Benton (American, 1889 – 1975), Cut the Line, 1944, oil on canvas, 39 x 54 in. (framed dim.), Navy Art Collection, Naval History and Heritage Command, Washington, D.C., 88-159-BO.

Thomas Hart Benton (American, 1889 – 1975), All Work, 1944, pen and ink with wash on paper, 23 x 26 in. (framed dim.), Navy Art Collection, Naval History and Heritage Command, Washington, D.C., 88-159-BB.
Thomas Hart Benton (American, 1889 – 1975), Cut the Line, 1944, oil on canvas, 39 x 54 in. (framed dim.), Navy Art Collection, Naval History and Heritage Command, Washington, D.C., 88-159-BO.
Thomas Hart Benton (American, 1889 – 1975), Slumber Deep, 1943, watercolor on paper, 20 x 23 in. (framed dim.), Navy Art Collection, Naval History and Heritage Command, Washington, D.C., 88-159-BO.