Wreck Of The 'Ole 97

Benton, Thomas Hart

Wreck Of The 'Ole 97, 1944

Lithograph

Published by Associated American Artists, New York. Edition of 250. Signed in pencil lower right. A superb impression with strong contrasts. Framed 20 x 24 in. Condition: good condition apart from toning through the window of the mat. Lot 4072. Notes reference the 1903 derailment of the Southern Railway Fast Mail, the “Ol’ 97.”

Image size: 15" x 10.25"

Literature: Fath 63

Description: Thomas Hart Benton’s 1944 lithograph, *Wreck Of The 'Ole 97*, captures a pivotal moment in American folklore—the 1903 derailment of the Southern Railway Fast Mail, immortalized in ballad and legend. Measuring 15 by 10.25 inches, this work exemplifies Benton’s dynamic style, with sweeping lines and dramatic contrasts that evoke both the violence of the crash and the relentless energy of the American landscape. Published by Associated American Artists, the print situates the tragedy within the broader context of industrial progress and its human costs, a recurring theme in Benton’s oeuvre. The composition’s vigorous movement and expressive forms reflect the artist’s deep engagement with the stories and struggles of rural America during the early twentieth century.

$ 10,000