Benton, Thomas Hart, 1889-1975

Thomas Hart Benton (left) holds his sketch of the mural he will paint on the wall of the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library. Behind Benton are Dr. Philip C. Brooks, Director of the Library, (center) and Sidney Larson, Mr. Benton's assistant (on scaffolding).

Thomas Hart Benton, extreme left, and Roy Brabham of Eugene, Oregon, right, discuss a drawing of Benton's that depicts the wagons of the Oregon Cavalcade train. The Cavalcade commemorates the anniversary of the Oregon Trail.

Thomas Hart Benton, seated, draws as Roy Brabham, standing, of Eugene, Oregon, looks on. Roy Brabham built six of the seven wagons in the train.

Thomas Hart Benton, seated on the right, draws as members of the Oregon Cavalcade including Ray Brabham of Eugene, Oregon, left, who built six of the seven wagons in the train, look on. The Oregon Cavalcade commemorated the anniversary of the Oregon Trail.

Thomas Hart Benton, seated on the right, draws as members of the Oregon Cavalcade including Ray Brabham of Eugene, Oregon, second from right, look on.

Artist Thomas Hart Benton, standing on scaffolding, working on his mural for the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library. The mural is entitled "Independence and the Opening of the West".

Artist Thomas Hart Benton working on his mural for the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library, entitled "Independence and the Opening of the West".

Artist Thomas Hart Benton, standing on the floor, looking at his mural for the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library. The mural is entitled "Independence and the Opening of the West".

Artist Thomas Hart Benton, standing on scaffolding, working on his mural for the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library. The mural is entitled "Independence and the Opening of the West".

Artist Thomas Hart Benton working on his mural for the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library, entitled "Independence and the Opening of the West".