(b Salem, MA, 24 March 1862; d Salem, 15 Nov
1951).
American painter, etcher and teacher. He attended the School of the
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, from 1880 to 1883 as a student of Otto
Grundmann (1844–90) and Frederick Crowninshield (1845–1918). In 1883
he travelled with his fellow student and lifelong friend Edmund C.
Tarbell to Paris, where they both studied at the Académie Julian for
three years with Gustave Boulanger and Jules Lefebvre. Benson
travelled with Tarbell to Italy in 1884 and to Italy, Belgium,
Germany and Brittany the following year. When he returned home,
Benson became an instructor at the Portland (ME) School of Art, and
after his marriage to Ellen Perry Peirson in 1888 he settled in
Salem, MA. Benson taught with Tarbell at the Museum School in Boston
from 1889 until their resignation over policy differences in 1913.
Benson rejoined the staff the next year and taught intermittently as
a visiting instructor until 1930.
The Black Hat
Discuss Art
Please note: site admin does not answer any questions. This is our readers discussion only.