Spring Tryout 1946

Thomas Hart Benton made this lithograph, Spring Tryout, using a relatively commonplace method of printmaking, but to striking effect. Lithography involves drawing on a flat stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon, then treating the surface so that ink adheres only to the drawn areas. The image is then transferred to paper, creating a print. Look closely at the dense network of lines and shading, achieved by Benton's skillful manipulation of the crayon. This printmaking method allowed Benton to create multiple original images that were more affordable, expanding his audience during the Great Depression, in a country undergoing immense social upheaval. The figures of the horse rider and fallen figure evoke a sense of dynamism, but the labor and economic realities of rural life are understated. Benton's choice of lithography reflects a desire to engage with a broader audience, blurring the boundaries between art and social commentary. The print medium itself becomes a tool for democratizing art, making it accessible to those outside the traditional art world.