As a boy, Frank W. Benson spent every free moment tramping the marshes surrounding his boyhood in home in Salem, Massachusetts and sketching the birds that filled them. His first painting, at age 16, was of a snipe. Almost 70 years later, his last oil was of two eagles. Benson spent the many decades between the two paintings being a teacher and world-famous painter, an etcher, and a portraitist who was often unable to keep up with the demand for his work. During his illustrious career, Benson ... view more »
As a boy, Frank W. Benson spent every free moment tramping the marshes surrounding his boyhood in home in Salem, Massachusetts and sketching the birds that filled them. His first painting, at age 16, was of a snipe. Almost 70 years later, his last oil was of two eagles. Benson spent the many decades between the two paintings being a teacher and world-famous painter, an etcher, and a portraitist who was often unable to keep up with the demand for his work. During his illustrious career, Benson was that rarest of things—an artist who became famous, respected and wealthy by his art during his lifetime.
Benson scholar Faith Andrews Bedford traces Benson’s journey from his boyhood dream of being an ornithological illustrator to his fame as an American Impressionist, culminating in his full circle return to depicting—and saving—the birds which first inspired him.
Faith Andrews Bedford is an art historian and a noted authority on Frank W. Benson. She is the author of three books on Benson, including The Sporting Art of Frank W. Benson. She participated in exhibitions of Benson’s art at the Peabody Essex Museum, as co-curator, and at the Farnsworth Art Museum, as guest curator.
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