Oil Derricks
This sketch is one of dozens of drawings that Benton used to compose his mural America Today, also in the Museum’s collection (2012.478a–j). Oil derricks appear in the Changing West mural panel. The subject derives from Benton’s 1927 visit to Borger, Texas, a frontier town in the Panhandle that was transformed by the discovery of oil nearby. This study of the tower used to hold and guide the drill above an oil well became central to the composition of the mural.
Artwork Details
- Title: Oil Derricks
- Artist: Thomas Hart Benton (American, Neosho, Missouri 1889–1975 Kansas City, Missouri)
- Date: 1920s
- Medium: Pen and black ink and brown watercolor over graphite on paper
- Dimensions: 8 7/8 × 7 in. (22.5 × 17.8 cm)
- Classification: Drawings
- Credit Line: Gift of AXA Equitable, 2016
- Object Number: 2016.425.17
- 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.