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<div>"Planting (Spring Plowing)", a vibrant watercolor and graphite on paper by Thomas Hart Benton, circa 1939-40, embodies the artist’s signature Regionalist style. The work depicts a rural scene where two figures toil in a field, one guiding a plow pulled by a donkey, the other carrying a bucket, sowing seeds under a bright, cloud-streaked sky. The rolling, richly hued earth, painted in warm browns and oranges, contrasts with the lush green foliage and distant trees, while a small structure sits at the horizon, grounding the composition in everyday life. Benton’s dynamic lines and fluid brushwork capture the rhythm of labor and the vitality of spring, infusing the scene with a sense of movement and purpose. </div>
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<br><div>The reverse image of this artwork was transformed into a lithograph in 1939, with notable examples housed in prestigious museum collections including the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, Minneapolis Institute of Art, and the Chazen Museum of Art. This print adaptation underscores the piece’s cultural significance, reflecting Benton’s influence on American art during the Depression era and the resonance of this particular subject celebrating the resilience and harmony of its people with nature. Created with a keen eye for detail and a deep connection to the land, "Planting (Spring Plowing)" showcases Benton’s ability to blend realism with his hallmark muscular style. It is accompanied by two letters written by Thomas Hart Benton to Lon Ramsey, its original owner, and bears an inscription by the artist on the verso.  </div>
FEATURED
THOMAS HART BENTON
Planting (Spring Plowing)
c.1939-40
18 x 21 3/4 in.
watercolor and graphite on paper

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Education

Education is of the utmost importance at Heather James Art Advisory. Whether you are a seasoned collector or just beginning, we aim to grow with our clients and believe fully in providing information and insight to help our clients learn and cultivate their art interests.

Curation

Heather James Art Advisory brings decades of curatorial experience with guidance from our Senior Curatorial staff who have organized exhibitions globally at museums, galleries and in private residences. Bringing together aesthetic and art historical elements, we will help your collection and home reflect your artistic interests.

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HJ Art Advisory provides complete logistics when handling, transporting, and supervising our clients’ artworks. Our oversight involves every aspect of care with the artwork.  We oversee every step of the process with transporting, installing, and storing artworks. We advise on and facilitate framing design, lighting, security requirements, conservation and condition assessment.

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  • When purchasing artworks, HJ Art Advisory researches the provenance of the artwork and will seek representations and warranties from the seller, that the seller has valid title and that the object is free from any liens, claims and encumbrances.
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Heather James has been honored to facilitate loans to top museums across the world including MoMA, the Centre Pompidou, and more. HJ Art Advisory takes care of all the necessary paperwork and logistics for our collectors who decide to lend an artwork to a museum exhibition.

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HJ Art Advisory is focused on sourcing artworks for potential acquisitions from private sales, auction houses, and artist commissions. HJ Art Advisory continually monitors the private and public market for significant artworks pertaining to our clients’ interests that will enhance their collections. We negotiate the sale or selling price on behalf of a collector in order to achieve the best possible deal for our clients.

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HJ Art Advisory group evaluates and appraises art collections for insurance valuation, acquisition, and deaccession. This involves in-depth research of both private and public art market analysis to determine value.

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HJ Art Advisory maintains the highest standards of due diligence through inquiry, research, and provenance of objects prior to acquisition to determine that clear title can be obtained.  Such research includes, but is not limited to, determining:

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  • Nazi/World War II Era research and documentation following guidelines relating to the acquisition of objects likely to have been in German-occupied Europe between 1933 and 1945
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