Lot Essay
Although Benton began painting still lifes as early as 1917, it was not until he reached maturity that Benton's pictures of this subject were fully realized. According to Henry Adams, "From the late thirties, Benton tried his hand at small still-life paintings. Columbine, tulips, peony, iris and fruit blossoms are combined with a sense of vitality, which is enhanced by the high key palette....Around the time of Persephone (1938-39), Benton began to paint small still-life compositions, in which he worked on the rendering of different textures." (Thomas Hart Benton: An American Original, Kansas City, Missouri, 1989, p. 293)
In Still Life with Vase, this contrast in texture is evident in the ferns and flower petals against the crisp fold of the drapery, and in the flesh of the peaches against the china dish and metal knife. Many of the still lifes painted during and after the late forties incorporate objects from Benton's home; the vase and dish in Still Life with Vase are likely the artist's personal belongings. In addition, Benton's wife Rita often picked flowers from their garden and then arranged them for the artist to paint.
Towards the later part of his life, Benton expanded beyond the landscapes and figural works which characterized his early career. The artist seemed to enjoy painting still lifes, as the subject offered him a chance to experiment with form, color and compostion in a more personal and intimate manner.
In Still Life with Vase, this contrast in texture is evident in the ferns and flower petals against the crisp fold of the drapery, and in the flesh of the peaches against the china dish and metal knife. Many of the still lifes painted during and after the late forties incorporate objects from Benton's home; the vase and dish in Still Life with Vase are likely the artist's personal belongings. In addition, Benton's wife Rita often picked flowers from their garden and then arranged them for the artist to paint.
Towards the later part of his life, Benton expanded beyond the landscapes and figural works which characterized his early career. The artist seemed to enjoy painting still lifes, as the subject offered him a chance to experiment with form, color and compostion in a more personal and intimate manner.