Island Hay

Title

Island Hay

Creator

Thomas Hart Benton
American, 1889-1975

Date

1945

Description

Following the exhibition, Island Hay will be sent to conservation for treatment of the somewhat severe burning, but with the expectation that the results will be similar to what was achieved in Spring Tryout (Palmer Museum of Art, 91.80). Like most of Benton’s lithographs, this sheet was printed and marketed by the Association of American Artists, an organization initiated in 1935 for the purpose of providing serious works of art, primarily prints, at a price middle-class Americans could afford. To cut costs, AAA used inexpensive printing paper and mounting materials. Both were acidic, which almost invariably insured that its products would acquire the kind of damage evident here.

The conservator will likely be able to reduce the overall burning by washing the sheet several times in a slightly high pH solution. Nonetheless, the most severe stain, from the acidity migrating through the edges of the window mat, will, as in Spring Tryout, remain apparent.

Contributor

Palmer Museum of Art, The Pennsylvania State University, Gift of Betty and Edward Mattil

Identifier

91.154

Rights

This image is posted publicly for non-profit educational uses, excluding printed publication. Other uses are not permitted.

Format

Lithograph; 9-1/4 x 12 in. (23.5 x 30.4 cm)