Benson, Frank Weston

Frank Weston Benson was born in Salem in 1862 and died at age 91 on Nov.14, 1951. He lived in Salem most of his life, though he summered in Maine and Cape Cod. He attended the Museum School in Boston and painted under the tutelage of Otto Grunderson and Frank Crowninshield. Benson was both a founding member of the Copley Society and member of Boston Guild of Artists.
Benson's work was very popular in his lifetime and he was successful financially as well. Benson was known for his portraits. His later work became more impressionistic and he often painted outside.
Benson's work can be seen at most of the major art museums, including the Metropolitan Museum in New York, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
Frank Benson lived on #14 Chestnut Street in Salem from 1925-1951 and had a studio he shared with another painter, Philip Little at #2 Chestnut Street.
Frank Benson's painting "Figure in White, 1890" is an oil on canvas and is hung inside the library in a prominent place. The figure in the painting is Benson's sister Georgiana.

Anonymous