Bust of Rita

Artist Thomas Hart Benton (American, 1889 - 1975)

Fabricator Harold Phippen Bronze Factory (American)

Datemodeled 1918; cast 1961

MediumBronze

DimensionsOverall (with base): 16 1/2 × 11 1/2 × 19 1/2 inches (41.91 × 29.21 × 49.53 cm)
Overall (without base): 14 1/2 × 18 × 9 7/8 inches (36.83 × 45.72 × 25.08 cm)

Credit LineGift of John and Kay Callison

Object number2019.58

SignedInscribed near base, below and to the left of figure's proper right ear, "To Rita/Benton/1918"

On View

On view

Gallery Location

Collections

American Art

Terms

DescriptionThe bronze sculpture depicts a bare-shouldered bust of a young woman swathed in drapery. She turns her head in profile towards her right, chin tilted up, eyes wide open, and a cascade of wavy hair flowing down her neck. The bust rests on rectangular mount.Exhibition History

Exhibition History

With the permanent collection at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, between 1986 and 1988 and 2015 until present.

Provenance

Thomas Hart Benton;

Purchased from the artist by Mr. and Mrs. Lelon and Anne Constable, Kansas City, MO;

Purchased from them by Mr. and Mrs. John and Kay Callison, Kansas City, MO, by September 10, 1986;

Their gift to The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, December 31, 2019.

Published References

Wilma Yeo and Helen K. Cook, Maverick with a Paintbrush: Thomas Hart Benton (Garden City, New York: Doubleday and Company, 1977), 54-55 (repro.).

Information about a particular artwork or image, including provenance information, is based upon historic information and may not be currently accurate or complete. Research on artwork and images is an ongoing process, and the information about a particular artwork or image may not reflect the most current information available to the Museum. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about a particular artwork or image, please e-mail provenance@nelson-atkins.org.