The artwork under discussion, titled “A Social History of the State of Missouri (detail) – Slaves Used for Lead Mining,” was created by the artist Thomas Hart Benton in 1936. This particular piece belongs to the Art Movement known as Regionalism and is categorized within the genre painting genre. The artwork is a part of the series entitled “A Social History of the State of Missouri.”
The artwork portrays a vivid and somber scene depicting enslaved individuals engaged in the arduous labor of lead mining. To the left, a white overseer brandishes a whip, enforcing control and exerting dominance over the enslaved laborers. The enslaved individuals are depicted engaging in various stages of the mining process, from shoveling and carrying materials to operating rudimentary machinery. The background presents a landscape with a dark plume of smoke rising, perhaps signifying the industrial exploitation during this period. The colors and forms used in this piece are characteristic of Benton’s Regionalist style, emphasizing the social and historical narrative of the era.
