Up Close And Personal with Thomas Hart Benton

Introducing Rakewell, Apollo’s wandering eye on the art world. Look out for regular posts taking a rakish perspective on art and museum stories.

Who says the Republicans don’t engage with the arts? Yesterday, Missouri Republican Party Vice-Chairman Valinda Freed was caught out leaning on a Thomas Hart Benton mural, jotting her number on a business card for an unidentified gentleman friend.

Freed, who according to her LinkedIn page is also a member for the activist group Concerned Women for America, appears very concerned indeed today, though perhaps for her dignity rather than her country. ‘I offer my sincere apology for my completely unplanned and thoughtless act’, she told the local press after the image went viral.

All we can hope is that Freed hasn’t made her mark on the Social History of the State of Missouri (as the Benton mural in question is titled). In any case, Rakewell politely suggests that next time, Freed might like to use a desk. Or better still, Tinder.

Got a story for Rakewell? Email tips to rakewell@apollomag.com