Unemployment, Radical Protest, Speed 1932

Thomas Hart Benton made this painting sometime in the 20th century, but it's hard to pinpoint exactly when. This work is a real trip; it's like Benton threw a bunch of different scenes into a blender and poured the mix onto the canvas! I can imagine him wrestling with this composition, layering scene upon scene, figures tumbling into one another. The colors are deep and moody, like a stormy night. And those figures! They’re bursting with energy, protesting, driving, and dancing. There's a real sense of drama, as if each character is caught in a moment of intense action. When I look at his work, I can almost see him in his studio, brush in hand, trying to capture the chaotic spirit of the times. He's in conversation with other painters for sure, whether he knows it or not! Painting is all about embracing the mess, the uncertainty, and the multiple ways of seeing the world, right? Benton seems to be saying, "Here's my version, take it or leave it!"