Why is the Benton Mural unusual and important?

The Benton Mural, known as 'America Today', is significant due to its expansive depiction of American life and industrial landscapes, covering entire walls with a panoramic perspective that captured the essence of the era's social and economic conditions.

Explanation:

Why is the Benton Mural Unusual and Important?

Thomas Hart Benton's mural, America Today, is unusual and important because of its comprehensive and realistic portrayal of American life during a transformative period in history. Benton's decision to work on such a large scale, with high ceilings and extensive wall space, allowed for a panoramic view of the social, economic, and industrial changes occurring across the United States. America Today showcases different regions, including the Midwest, Deep South, and Changing West, as well as the toil of the working class, exemplified in panels like Steel. The smallest panel, Outreaching Hands, poignantly captures the dual reality of the time—the desperation of the impoverished juxtaposed against the greed of the affluent during the Great Depression. Benton's attention to detail, use of strong diagonals, and inclusion of dominant industries and changes in life serve as a powerful visual document of America's progress and the struggles in the early 20th century. Additionally, the use of egg tempera and an oil glaze, as well as the integration of aluminum leaf-covered wood moldings that resonated with the Art Deco design of the era, underscored Benton's unique approach to muralism.