Lithographs of Thomas Hart Benton

Updated August 5, 2026

DateAugust 22, 2026 at 11:00 AM EDT
TypeOnline only
Auction houseCircle Auction
LocationKansas City, Missouri, 64105
Lots52

Circle Auction is proud to offer an outstanding collection of lithographs by artist Thomas Hart Benton, assembled by the late Dr. Clarence R. Decker, who served as the president of the University of Kansas City (now called the University of Missouri - Kansas City) from 1938-1953. During Decker's time in that position, he helped to grow the university many times over. He played an instrumental role in UKC's accreditation, and under his tenure, the university became the first institution of higher learning in the state to enroll Black students and the first in the region to accept Japanese-American students following World War II internment. Decker also built a program that brought visiting artists and cultural leaders to campus. Benton was among those welcomed to UKC, and accounts of the period describe Benton as part of the Deckers? personal circle, including being hosted by Clarence and Mary Decker at University House. This personal connection is reflected in the collection itself, with many lithographs inscribed by Benton to ?Deck? and his wife Mary. In 1949, Decker commissioned Benton to create the lithograph Prayer Meeting, as documented in Creekmore Fath?s catalogue raisonn?, The Lithographs of Thomas Hart Benton. Decker left the University of Kansas City in 1953 and continued serving in higher education until his death in 1969. Assembled 60 to 80 years ago and preserved in the Decker family ever since, this single-owner collection is now being offered to the public, giving collectors the rare chance to acquire Benton lithographs with direct personal association to one of his Kansas City friends and patrons. Full catalog and bidding: view on liveauctioneers .

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Lithographs of Thomas Hart BentonThomas Hart Benton "Goin' Home" Lithograph (1937)Thomas Hart Benton "Investigation" Lithograph (1937)Thomas Hart Benton "I Got a Gal on Sourwood Mountain" Lithograph (1938)Thomas Hart Benton "Haystack" Lithograph (1938)Thomas Hart Benton "Edge of Town" Lithograph (1938)Thomas Hart Benton "Rainy Day" Lithograph (1938)Thomas Hart Benton "The Poet" Lithograph (1938)Thomas Hart Benton "Sunday Morning" Lithograph (1939)Thomas Hart Benton "Cradling Wheat" Lithograph (1939)Thomas Hart Benton "Planting" Lithograph (1939)Thomas Hart Benton "Prodigal Son" Lithograph (1939)

In this auction (52 lots)

Categories: Fine Art & Prints

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