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

Thomas Hart Benton (1889-1975)
Huck Finn (1936)
The lithograph printed on Rives watermark paper in an edition of only 100 prints was published by Associated American Artists and is signed by the artist in pencil below the image lower right, listed as Fath catalog number 12.


Benton's comments in Fath read: 'Every two or three years I reread Mark Twain's great saga from start to finish, finding it as fresh as when I first read it. With the spirits of Huck and Jim pushing me, I have been up and down the Mississippi many times. Though I travelled on big boats rather than intimately by raft, I like to believe I've caught glimpses of them. It's certain they're still there behind some island or up some creek.'
Image size 16.5 x 21.5, sheet measures 18.75 x 23.5, the frame is 27 x 32 inches.
Very good condition, the full untrimmed sheet with four deckle edges, not laid down, no damage, punctures, tears or repair. There is a very pale outline of toning from a previous mat noticeable only outside the mat. Framed to archival standards in acid free mounts.
$8,000 - $12,000