“A Social History of the State of Missouri (detail) – Jesse James” is an artwork created by Thomas Hart Benton in 1936, belonging to the art movement known as Regionalism. The artwork is a genre painting, representing a scene from the series “A Social History of the State of Missouri.” This specific detail from the series depicts the infamous outlaw Jesse James engaged in a bank robbery scene with his gang.
The artwork is characterized by its vibrant colors and dynamic composition, capturing the intense action and drama of the historical event. In the foreground, the figures of men are depicted in motion, each engaged in the chaos of the robbery. One man, presumptively Jesse James, is seen pointing a gun towards the bank while another man collapses to the ground. A steam locomotive looms prominently in the center, symbolizing industrial progress amidst the violent scene. The background shows a building marked as “BANK,” linking the piece directly to the specific historical context it aims to portray. Thomas Hart Benton’s style embeds the scene with energy and narrative, illuminating the cultural and social history of Missouri during that era.
