Study for "Instruments of Power" (recto); Study for "Deep South" (verso)
This double-sided study unites the most and the least industrial scenes in the mural, America Today, also in the Museum’s collection (2012.478a–j). It blocks out the key elements of Instruments of Power–a train, an airplane, a combustion engine, a zeppelin, and a dam–in shades of white, gray, and black. Accentuated with a few color tests around the perimeter, the composition relates closely to the final panel. In the mural, though, Benton enlarged the train and used elongated brushstrokes to show the shaft and pistons of the engine in motion.
Artwork Details
- Title: Study for "Instruments of Power" (recto); Study for "Deep South" (verso)
- Artist: Thomas Hart Benton (American, Neosho, Missouri 1889–1975 Kansas City, Missouri)
- Date: ca. 1930
- Medium: Oil on Masonite
- Dimensions: 14 × 18 in. (35.6 × 45.7 cm)
- Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Gift of AXA Equitable, 2016
- Object Number: 2016.425.4a, b
- Curatorial Department: Modern and Contemporary Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Thomas Hart Benton
1944
Thomas Hart Benton
1943
Thomas Hart Benton
1934
Thomas Hart Benton
1939
Thomas Hart Benton
1937
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.