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Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Frankie and Johnny
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Held by the artist.

Frankie and Johnny

Artist/Maker (United States, 1889-1975)
Date1936
Mediumlithograph
DimensionsSight: 17 x 22 3/4 in. (43.2 x 57.8 cm)
Sheet: 20 1/2 x 24 1/8 in. (52.1 x 61.3 cm)
ClassificationsVisual Works
Credit LineGift of Dr. and Mrs. Rudolph E. Drosd
Terms
    Object number74.017.001
    DescriptionThe 20th century American muralist and painter, Thomas Hart Benton, illustrates, the song, "Frankie and Johnny." The folk ballad, which dates back as far as 1888 or earlier, has numerous versions. The song was published in 1912. The subject matter probably appealed to Benton because of his interest in portraying ordinary people and recreating scenes from American culture. In the lithograph, Benton depicts the scene of the ballad when Frankie shoots her man “cause he done her wrong.” It is a crime caused by jealousy and unfaithfulness. Frankie has gone and found Johnny drinking with another woman. They argue and when Johnny returns to the other woman’s table, Frankie shoots him three times.
    On View
    Not on view
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Thomas Hart Benton
    not dated (printed 1939)
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Thomas Hart Benton
    1938
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Thomas Hart Benton
    not dated (printed 1939)
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Thomas Hart Benton
    not dated (printed 1939)
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Thomas Hart Benton
    not dated (printed 1939)
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Thomas Hart Benton
    not dated (printed 1939)
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Giuseppe Maria Crespi
    ca. 1690-1700
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Guna people
    ca. 1950
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Guna people
    ca. 1950
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Guna people
    ca. 1950
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Anna Gaskell
    2001