Figure 1.--This seaccape looks to have beenposed in the 1920s. We are not sure who the children are. The timing does not seem right to be Benson's children, perhaps they are his grandchildren. Here the combination of the brothers, sailboat, dog, and seadcape evoke a powerful image of childhood.

This prolific American artist was born in Salem, Massachusetts during the Civil War, 1862. He is noted as an impressionist painter of New England seascapes and landscapes. He commonly posed his wife and children in his landscapes to add a human dimension. He also did many hunting scenes, making his work notable to a community that often does not concern itself with art. He lived much of his life in Salem. the Massachusetts port famous for the 17th century witchcradt trials. He would endlessly trek through through the countryside around Salem looking for suitable subjects, especially wildlife. Art historians credit him for establishing the American sporting print a distinctive art form. His work with his family in particular provide several useful images of children's clothing. Although not what he was best known for, he produced several striking images of childhood.

The Artist

This prolific American artist was born in Salem, Massachusetts during the Civil War, 1862. He is noted as an impressionist painter of New England seascapes and landscapes. I do not yet have details on his family. About midway through his artistic career, Benson began experimenting with watercolors. Art historians believed he was influenced by Winslow Homer. Benson became a serious watercolorist in the 1920s. The painting here is one of his watercolors (figure 1). He commonly posed his wife and children in his landscapes to add a human dimension. He also did many hunting scenes, making his work notable to a community that often does not concern itself with art. He lived much of his life in Salem. the Massachusetts port famous for the 17th century witchcradt trials. He would endlessly trek through through the countryside around Salem looking for suitable subjects, especially wildlife. Art historians credit him for establishing the American sporting print a distinctive art form. His work with his family in particular provide several useful images of children's clothing. Although not what he was best known for, he produced several striking images of childhood.

Two Boys

The water color here is entitled "Two Boys". They are posed in a landscape set by the sea, a bluff overlooking the ocean. It seems a curious place to take a sailboat, but boys and toy sailboats are an inresistable combination. We are nit sure who the boys are. The painting was probably done in the 1920s and they would seem a bit old to be his children, although we do not yet have family details. The younger boy wears short pants and kneesocks, the older boy presumably his brother (they are painted to look almost like twins) wears knickers.

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Created: December 21, 2003
Last updated: December 21, 2003