Benton, Thomas Hart

Autograph letter signed ("Tom" once and "T." twice) with pen-and-ink drawing signed and dated ("Benton 57"), 2 pages (11 x 8 5/8 in.; 279 x 218 mm), Kansas City, 23 January 1957, to Alfred and Kathy Eisenstaedt; horizontal and vertical folds, a few minor creases and tears at edges. 

Condition as described in catalogue entry.
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"Uncle Tom" and his contribution to "modern art".  In this letter from Benton to photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt and his wife Kathy Kaye, the artist recounts his frustrations with appearing in a live television broadcast.  More importantly, he includes a startling pen-and-ink drawing à la Jackson Pollock.  The drawing represents a session in which Eisenstaedt and his wife attempt to photograph Benton.  The drawing, which is signed and dated ("Benton 57"), is captioned, "The above contribution to 'modern art' needs no explanation — it 'expresses' Alphy and Kathy photographing 'Uncle Tom' — find his cabin! T."  The drawing in both horizontal format and composition bears a resemblance to the work of his former pupil Jackson Pollock.  The younger artist had as a young man been very close to Benton and his wife.  When the rift over their divergent styles of painting came to a head, it was bitter.  Pollock publically denounced Benton's art and Benton reciprocated in kind.  The present drawing, however, is quite amusing.  Emerging from a swirl of Pollock-like drips can be seen the photographer's camera and tripod, "Uncle Tom's" cabin, a hand losing its grip on a drink, and numerous disembodied eyes with long eyelashes.  In the letter Benton acknowledges his diminishing reputation as compared to his former pupil and the other Abstract Expressionists: "We deeply appreciate your 'fan letter.'  It was one of the very best among those which told us that we had, still had, well wishing friends among the 'cognocenti.'  Surely a patron of Benton's should be numbered among the 'cognoscenti'!!  No — Why not?"

A great— but amusing—document of the great schism in twentieth-century American art.