Thomas Hart Benton

Master documentary filmmaker Ken Burns paints a vivid portrait of artist Thomas Hart Benton in this riveting film. Benton, known for his lulling renderings of the American countryside, emerges as a complicated man who stayed on the fringes of the New York art scene, eschewing it. The film features Benton's home movies and paintings, along with interviews with those who knew him personally and professionally. (Netflix)

Contemporary American artists are seen at work. Their style, choice of subject matter and methods of painting are shown along with mention of their popularity with ordinary Americans.

Thomas Hart Benton demonstrates the main steps in planning and executing a mural: beginning designs, sketches, layout, clay model, small painting, larger clay model and all stages of painting.