Persephone, by Thomas Hart Benton THE PAINTING In the Nelson Art Gallery in Kansas City, Missouri, Persephone, Thomas Hart Benton's painting hangs on the wall. A cornfed, Midwest, WPA centerfold. Hair the color of flame and white milky curves that scream obscene. Tempra paint with an oil glaze. An old farmer is staring at her nakedness at her side, old, gnarled wizened face. This old man's darling arouses my husband as his hard on strains the crotch of his blue jeans and Spring in the Hades prairie titillates and thrills mankind.