171: THOMAS HART BENTON (1889-1975) PENCIL SIGNED LITHOGRAPH

Thomas Hart Benton (1889-1975)
The Hymn Singer (1950)
The lithograph published by Twayne Publishers in an edition of 500 prints is signed by Benton in pencil below the image lower right, and listed as Fath catalog number 74.



Benton's comments in Fath read: (This is a characterization of Burl Ives) Burl visited me in Kansas City in 1950, returning from Hollywood, with a beard which he'd been grown [sic] for a part in some southern movie story. He sang some old southern hymns which produced the idea for this print and a life size portrait. The latter still in my possession.
Image measures 16 x 12.25 on a 20 x 16 inch sheet with an overall frame size of 25.5 x 21.25 inches.
Very good condition, the full untrimmed sheet with deckle edges, not laid down, no damage, stain, punctures, tears or repair.
$1,000 - $1,500