The artwork titled “Outreaching Hands” by Thomas Hart Benton was created in 1931 using canvas and tempera. It is part of the Regionalism art movement and belongs to the genre of genre painting. This piece is included in Benton’s series “America Today” and is displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) in New York City, New York, United States.
In the artwork, multiple human hands are depicted reaching out towards various objects, symbolizing different aspects of society and economic interactions. The hands on the left clutch at a coffee pot and a cup, while the hands to the right grasp at cash and possibly a document. The composition effectively contrasts the struggle and labor of the working class with the financial endeavors of the affluent, reflecting the social and economic dynamics of early 20th-century America. A building in the background signifies structural and societal constructs, with the sky above providing a sense of openness and continuity. The overall style is consistent with Benton’s characteristic use of strong, dynamic forms and vivid colors to convey his themes.
