Artists

Recordings related to artist Thomas Hart Benton, his family, and the creation of his mural, "Independence and the Opening of the West" at the Harry S. Truman Library in Independence, MO.

SR64-105-2 is in two parts. It has commentary between Truman Library curator Milton Perry and Thomas Hart Benton. It has extensive recordings of Benton's daughter, Jessie Benton, playing and singing music with her father. They play guitar and harmonica. It also begins a conversation with Benton's wife, Rita Benton.

Interview by Monte Poen with Dorothy Rosenman. Mrs. Rosenman and her husband, Samuel I. Rosenman, were close friends with Harry S. and Bess Truman. In addition, Samuel was Harry's personal "New York lawyer." There are several stories cited about the Truman's visits to New York and the get-togethers and parties. She tells of the 1958 trip to France with them and how it was strictly a vacation. There was an interesting anecdote about the couples' visit to meet artist Pablo Picasso's at his house. Mrs. Rosenman says her husband was Mr.