8: CHARLES BANKS WILSON (1918-2013) BENTON FARM WATERCOLOR

Charles Banks Wilson (Oklahoma, 1918-2013)
The Benton Farm (Circa 1970)
The watercolor on paper picturing Benton's oft-depicted barn is signed lower right.

Thomas Hart Benton bought his daughter a farm in rural Kansas. In the catalog on his prints by Creekmore Fath, Benton explained, 'she belongs to one of those youth groups, or communes, which have sprung up over the United States in late years...A number of those in her group wanted to try farming and found a good farm for sale out in mid Kansas. We bought this, two hundred and eighty one acres, and let them have a crack at running it. They are doing extraordinarily well.'

Apparently the farm's lone worthwhile landmark was this barn which Benton portrayed in a 1972 lithograph and a 1973 painting, the latter being on view now at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art.

Wilson chose to paint the barn and barnyard as well, with some modifications.

An inscription verso on the frame liner reads 'This was identified by Marianne Berardi and Henry Adams as The Benton Farm. It was in show at Albrecht Kemper in 2004.'
Sight size measures 13.5 x 21 with a framed size of 22.25 x 29.75 inches.
The condition is very good, very clean, intact, no stain, damage, repair, punctures or tears.
$3,000 - $4,000