Frank Weston Benson Original Antique Late 19th Century The Ten American Painters Tonalism Impressionism Still Life of Hollyhock Flowers Oil Painting

Original, antique impressionist still life oil painting on canvas of hollyhock flowers, by Frank Weston Benson, (1862-1951).    

    Frank Weston Benson, (1862-1951), was an American Impressionist and member of the Ten American Painters; perhaps best known for his impressionist plein-air landscape paintings.

Frank Weston Benson, also known as Frank W. Benson, was an American artist born on March 24, 1862, in Salem, Massachusetts. He was renowned for his realistic portraits, American Impressionist paintings, watercolors, and etchings. Benson's early career involved painting portraits of distinguished families and creating murals for the Library of Congress. He gained recognition for his well-known paintings, such as "Eleanor" (Museum of Fine Arts, Boston) and "Summer" (Rhode Island School of Design Museum), which depicted his daughters enjoying outdoor activities at his summer home, Wooster Farm, in North Haven, Maine.

Benson began his artistic studies at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston in 1880 under the guidance of Otto Grundmann and Frederic Crowninshield. In 1883, he traveled to Paris to study at the Académie Julian. Throughout his career, Benson held various positions as an instructor and department head at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. He was a founding member of the Ten American Painters, the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and The Guild of Boston Artists.

Born into a family with roots in Salem, Massachusetts, Benson developed a love for the sea from his grandfather, Captain Samuel Benson. During his childhood, he spent time exploring the waterways and marshes on a sailboat, engaging in sports, fishing, and hunting. Benson's mother, Elisabeth Poole Benson, also had artistic inclinations, and her influence may have played a role in shaping his artistic path.

Benson initially aspired to be an ornithological illustrator due to his passion for birdwatching and wildfowl hunting. At the age of 16, he painted one of his first oil paintings, titled "Rail," inspired by a hunting trip. In 1880, Benson enrolled at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where he formed friendships with fellow artists Joseph Lindon Smith, Robert Reid, and Edmund Charles Tarbell. Benson taught drawing classes in Salem and focused on landscape painting during the summer of 1882. Subsequently, he received a monetary gift from his parents on his 21st birthday, which enabled him to study in Europe. Benson traveled to Paris and studied at the Académie Julien from 1883 to 1884, learning from notable artists such as Jules-Joseph Lefebvre, William Turner Dannat, and Gustave Boulanger. He also visited England, Italy, Belgium, Germany, and Brittany during his time in Europe.

Benson drew inspiration from artists like Johannes Vermeer and Diego Velázquez, particularly their adept use of light and the poetic quality of their subjects. He also incorporated elements of Impressionism into his work, influenced by artists such as Claude Monet. Benson's watercolor paintings were reminiscent of Winslow Homer's style. Throughout his career, Benson maintained a traditional approach to painting, focusing on genres like portraiture and American Impressionism, rather than experimenting with emerging art forms like Cubism, Expressionism, and Fauvism.

In 1888, Benson married Ellen Perry Peirson, whom he had become engaged to during his painting trip to Concarneau in 1884. They had four children together: Eleanor, George, Elisabeth, and Sylvia. Benson became an instructor at the Portland, Maine School of Art in 1886 and later taught antique drawing at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, eventually becoming the head of the Painting department. He was highly regarded as an instructor, with his students affectionately referring to him as "Cher Maitre" (Dear Master). 

In the summer of 1893, the Benson family began spending their summers in New Castle, New Hampshire, a period that lasted until 1900. It was during this time that Benson delved into the realm of Impressionism, capturing the beauty of nature and the playfulness of his children in his paintings. Works like "Children in the Woods" and "Moonlight on the Waters" showcased his newfound interest in plein-air painting and his ability to capture the fleeting effects of light and color.

Benson's Impressionistic style was heavily influenced by the works of Claude Monet, whose use of vibrant colors and loose brushstrokes inspired him. He sought to capture the essence of a scene rather than focusing on intricate details, infusing his paintings with a sense of spontaneity and liveliness. His subjects ranged from idyllic landscapes to intimate portraits, each reflecting his mastery of capturing mood and atmosphere.

During his career, Benson achieved great recognition and success. He became a founding member of the Ten American Painters, a group that aimed to promote Impressionism and challenge the prevailing academic traditions of the time. He also became a member of prestigious institutions such as the American Academy of Arts and Letters and The Guild of Boston Artists, further solidifying his reputation as a prominent artist.

In addition to his Impressionistic works, Benson continued to paint portraits, showcasing his skill in capturing the likeness and personality of his subjects. His portraits of distinguished families and notable individuals were highly sought after, further establishing his reputation as a talented portraitist.

Benson's lifelong passion for nature and wildlife also found expression in his art. He created numerous oil, wash, and watercolor paintings, as well as etchings, depicting wildfowl and landscapes. His deep appreciation for the natural world, honed through his childhood experiences of hunting and exploring the North Shore, is evident in the delicate details and lively compositions of these works.

Throughout his career, Benson also dedicated himself to teaching and mentoring aspiring artists. He served as an instructor at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where he shared his knowledge and passion with a new generation of artists. His teaching style emphasized the importance of observation, composition, and technique, inspiring his students to develop their own artistic voices.

Frank Weston Benson's legacy as an American artist is characterized by his skillful fusion of Realism and Impressionism. His ability to capture the essence of a scene, whether through the realism of his portraits or the impressionistic beauty of his landscapes, continues to captivate art enthusiasts to this day. His works can be found in prominent museums and collections, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the Rhode Island School of Design Museum, leaving an enduring mark on the art world.

Public Collections Include: 

Addison Gallery of American Art, Andover, Massachusetts
Art Institute of Chicago
Bowdoin College Museum of Art, Maine
Brooklyn Museum
Butler Institute of American Art, Ohio
Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences, Charleston, West Virginia
Cleveland Museum of Art, Ohio
Currier Gallery of Art, New Hampshire
Detroit Institute of Arts, Michigan
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Harvard University Art Museums, Massachusetts
Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indiana
Maier Museum of Art at Randolph-Macon Woman's College, Virginia
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
National Academy Museum & School of Fine Arts, New York
National Art Museum of Sport at Indiana University, Indianapolis
National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
Peabody Essex Museum, Massachusetts
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia
Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art
Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery at Scripps College, California
Smart Museum of Art at the University of Chicago
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington D.C.
Terra Foundation for American Art, Chicago
The Huntington Library, California
University of New Hampshire, Durham
Westmoreland Museum of American Art, Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Wichita Art Museum, Kansas
Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, Wisconsin
Worcester Art Museum, Massachusetts

Memberships Include:

National Academician
Ten American Painters
National Institute of Arts and Letters
Chicago Society of Etchers
National Association of Portrait Painters
Guild of Boston Artists
Boston Society of Watercolor Painters
Society of American Etchers
American Academy of Arts & Sciences


Frank Weston Benson
(1862–1951)
American Impressionist
Member of “The Ten” American Impressionists
Oil on Canvas

Circa 1897

Still Life Painting

Hollyhock Flowers
The painting measures approximately 10.7” X 15.1”
Approximately 1897
Painting is still housed in original, wood carved, antique frame
The painting is in very good original condition. There are tiny specs throughout of minor degradation of the paint. Near one of the white flowers is a very small scratch, to the left. Please review the images, for detail. The painting is in overall good condition and is signed lower left and lower right. The signature to the left has a bit of degradation, as well as the right. The painting has been relined in previous decades and is varnished. The painting retains a soft, tonal quality around the flowers and background of the painting. There are no overpaints; all paint is original to the painting. There have been no deep or chemical cleanings performed.

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