![Thomas Hart Benton](https://image.pbs.org/contentchannels/osBnaXz-white-logo-41-tAPYFNB.png?format=webp&resize=200x)
Benton's Early Years
Clip: Episode 1 | 3m 13sVideo has Closed Captions
Thomas Hart Benton was born in Neosho, Missouri, into family of politicians.
Thomas Hart Benton was born in Neosho, Missouri, into family of politicians. His mother encouraged his art, but his father was determined that Thomas become a lawyer or politician. He eventually studied art in Paris, France.
General Motors Corporation, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting; PBS; Equitable Financial Companies; the National Endowment for the Humanities; Jules and Doris Stein Foundation; Gerald and Virginia Oppenheimer
![Thomas Hart Benton](https://image.pbs.org/contentchannels/osBnaXz-white-logo-41-tAPYFNB.png?format=webp&resize=200x)
Benton's Early Years
Clip: Episode 1 | 3m 13sVideo has Closed Captions
Thomas Hart Benton was born in Neosho, Missouri, into family of politicians. His mother encouraged his art, but his father was determined that Thomas become a lawyer or politician. He eventually studied art in Paris, France.
How to Watch Thomas Hart Benton
Thomas Hart Benton is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Buy Now
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipVideo has Closed Captions
Benton was commissioned to paint a mural depicting the social history of Missouri. (5m 11s)
Video has Closed Captions
For more than seventy years Thomas Hart Benton painted America's towns and its people. (2m 7s)
Video has Closed Captions
Dan James discusses Benton's "He-man" persona. (40s)
Video has Closed Captions
Earl Bennent talks about the beauty in Benton's work. (44s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipGeneral Motors Corporation, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting; PBS; Equitable Financial Companies; the National Endowment for the Humanities; Jules and Doris Stein Foundation; Gerald and Virginia Oppenheimer