"The Gilded Auction Block" is a painting created by artist Thomas Hart Benton in 1937. The artwork depicts a scene of an auction where enslaved individuals are being sold, highlighting the harsh realities of slavery in America. The title suggests a contrast between the opulence of the auction setting and the grim fate of those being sold. The painting is part of the American Regionalism movement, which focused on depicting everyday life and social issues in the United States. Benton's work often emphasized the struggles of ordinary people, and "The Gilded Auction Block" serves as a poignant reminder of the injustices faced by enslaved individuals during that era.