Art Against Aggression

Invasion by Thomas Hart Benton

Last week my wife and I visited the art gallery at the State Historical Society of Missouri for the first time. We were surprised and awed by the power of Thomas Hart Benton's World War II paintings.

As long time Missourians, we have seen Benton paintings in a number of locations including the large mural at the Missouri State capital. Many of his paintings, including those commissioned by the federal government as part of the New Deal, depict scenes of everyday life and celebrate the working class people who were the backbone of American society at the time.

The World War II paintings were different. More powerful emotionally.

These paintings were influenced by the social realism movement of the 1930s and intended to to modify American public opinion and rally public support for the war effort. To me, Invasion is the most powerful, depicting the violence of assault, murder, and rape that would likely result from a successful foreign invasion. The painting is a reminder of the horrors of war and the importance of remaining vigilant in the face of threats to national security.

Starry Night

Inspired by the attach on Pearl Harbor and sponsored by Abbott Laboratories, Benton completed eight large paintings which are currently on display at the Historical Society in Columbia, Missouri. These were originally published in The Year of Peril propaganda pamphlet published by Abbott Laboratories and the U.S. Government in 1942.

The Sowers

Another important work on display is The Sowers which was created in 1943. This painting depicts a group of soldiers, sailors, and airmen marching across a barren landscape with a single figure in the foreground scattering seeds. The painting is a metaphor for the idea that the sacrifices made during the war would eventually lead to a better future.

Although these works were painted eighty years ago, their message is extremely relevant today. The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the attacks being made on the American liberties by state legislatures in Florida and other states remind us that still need to remain vigilant and fight Fascism in every form.

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This post was written with research assistance by ChatGPT

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