A Social History of the State of Missouri (detail) 1936

This is a detail of Thomas Hart Benton’s mural, painted in egg tempera, a medium beloved by Renaissance artists. It shows a history of Missouri. The way Benton uses color is striking, almost theatrical. See the smoky sky swirling above the town? It’s like a scene from a play, full of drama. The thick, layered paint gives the figures a sculptural quality. The muscles of the men chopping wood really pop out, as does the hard work they're doing. The artist's use of light and shadow adds to the narrative. I particularly like the contrast between the darks of the smoke, and the lighter tones of the figures in the foreground. Benton's mural has a lot in common with the work of the Mexican muralist, Diego Rivera. Both were interested in portraying scenes of everyday life, filled with the struggles and triumphs of ordinary people. They were not afraid to make art political, and their murals became powerful statements about social justice. Art invites us to keep asking questions.