Artists' preparatory studies

Pencil sketch of Indian done by Thomas Hart Benton in preparation for his mural in the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library. The original art was a gift from Mr. Benton to former President Harry S. Truman. The drawing is in the Truman Library Museum Collection.

Preliminary sketch for mural, titled "Truman Mural 1st Preliminary Cartoon 58". Gouache drawing of entire mural on paper. Predellas are cut out and adhered to main drawing. Marked off in pencil in 13/16 inch squares. Sketch includes plaque on mural over doorway. Pencil noted in Benton's hand, "Plaque to be eliminated/note model/door/first sketch-Truman mural/[Title]". Signed bottom right, "BENTON". The size of the original art is 17 1/2 inches by 27 1/4 inches. The original art is in the Truman Library Museum Collection. Donor of object: Thomas Hart Benton Estate.

Inked sketch of wagon wheel done by Thomas Hart Benton in preparation for his mural in the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library. The sketch is done in brown, black, and white, and titled "Perspective study of wagon wheel Truman L" in the lower left, and signed "BENTON" in the lower right. The size of the original art is 12 1/2 inches by 10 3/4 inches. The original artwork is in the Truman Library Museum Collection. Donor of object: Thomas Hart Benton Estate.

Pencil sketch of a pair of yoked oxen, a single ox, and a yoke, drawn by Thomas Hart Benton in preparation for his mural in the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library. The drawing is signed "BENTON" in the lower right. The size of the original drawing is 13 7/8 inches by 12 inches. The original drawing is in the Truman Library Museum Collection. Donor of object: Thomas Hart Benton Estate.

Pencil sketch drawn by Thomas Hart Benton in preparation for his mural for the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library. The drawing details sketches of a saddle blanket, feathered headdress, earrings, peace pipe and Pawnee hunting moccasin c. 1858. The drawing is signed "Costume notes/Truman Library/BENTON" in the lower right. The size of the original is 9 1/8 inches by 11 7/8 inches. The original drawing is in the Truman Library Museum Collection. Donor of object: Thomas Hart Benton Estate.

Pencil sketch, "Gridded Study, Mountain Man" drawn by Thomas Hart Benton in preparation for his mural for the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library. The size of the original drawing is 16 7/8 inches by 11 7/8 inches, done at 1/2 inch scale, and is signed "BENTON" in the lower right. The original drawing is in the Truman Library Museum Collection. Donor of object: Thomas Hart Benton Estate.

Watercolor sketch done by Thomas Hart Benton in preparation for his mural in the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library. The pine is painted in purples and greens, and the juniper is painted in greens with orange and blue. The size of the original is 20 1/8 inches by 12 3/4 inches. The original art is in the Truman Library Museum Collection. Donor of object: Thomas Hart Benton Estate.

Pencil sketch on paper drawn by Thomas Hart Benton in preparation for his mural in the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library. The sketch is untitled and signed "BENTON" in the lower right. The size of the original drawing is 8 1/4 inches by 11 7/8 inches. The original drawing is in the Truman Library Museum Collection. Donor of object: Thomas Hart Benton Estate.

Pencil sketch by Thomas Hart Benton done in preparation for his mural in the lobby of the Harry S. Truman Library. The original drawing is untitled and signed "BENTON" in the lower right. Size of original drawing is 7 7/8 inches by 6 1/4 inches. The original drawing is in the Truman Library Museum Collection. Donor of object: Thomas Hart Benton Estate.