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Coffee and Chow
Thomas Hart Benton #18
Pen and ink on paper, circa 1944
Gift of Abbott Laboratories
88-159-BJ
Eyes almost closed in concentration as he reads a periodical spread
open on his leg, a crewman munches on a sandwich and sips a cup
of the ubiquitous Navy "jamoke"--coffee.
War Isn's All Mechanized
Thomas Hart Benton #11
Pen and ink on paper, circa 1944
Gift of Abbott Laboratories
88-159-BC
The lowly mule still pulls guns and supply wagons, the foot-soldier
still fights hand-to-hand with the foe...and the mess cook must
still peel potatoes by hand. Some U.S. Navy ships have automatic
peelers--but don't mention it to this man!
Battle Stations Submerged
Thomas Hart Benton #17
Ink wash on paper, circa 1944
Gift of Abbott Laboratories
88-159-BI
Up Periscope
Oil on canvas, circa 1944
Thomas Hart Benton #24
Gift of Abbott Laboratories
88-159-BP
Sweater-clad U.S. Navy submarine men blend into the gloomy background
of their ship, illuminated in eerie fashion by a light in the
overhead, as they go about their duties far below the surface
while on a patrol mission. An officer keeps his eyes glued to
the periscope as he scans the horizon for the outline of an enemy
ship.
Slumber Deep
Thomas Hart Benton #19
Watercolor on paper, circa
1944
Gift of Abbott Laboratories
88-159-BK
Crewmen of the Navy's "silent service"--submarine branch--relax
in the torpedo room of a submersible during off-duty moments as
their warship proceeds on her way. One man goes up the ladder
on duty aloft. In a second this peaceful scene could be turned
into an ordered chaos by the call to general quarters.
Up
the Hatch
Thomas Hart Benton #25
Oil on pressboard, circa 1944
Gift of Abbott Laboratories
88-159-BQ
Crewmen of a U.S. submarine race up ladders to get aloft through
the open hatchway of the conning tower, exhilarated by their eagerness
to get a breath of fresh air after hours of confinement below.
page 3 of 4
Online Exhibits that feature Thomas Hart Benton's Work
Amphibious Operations in
the Pacific Theater
The Silent Service:
From the Abbott Laboratories Collection
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Collection Branch1 April 2001