The Art of Frank W. Benson : American Impressionist

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Summary: Getting to know Frank Benson
Review: Faith Bedford has produced a stirring tribute to Frank Benson. The book contains 180 illustrations with 100 in color but this book really is more a biography and less an exhibition of his work. Having said that, the story is not just his but also very much the story of the earliest American Impressionists. A careful study of Benson's paintings in this book shows elements of his colleagues Whistler, Sargent, and Cassatt. But I also see works like "Hunter in a Boat" and watercolors like "Salmon River in Canada" that strongly suggest Winslow Homer. William Gerdts in the introduction to the book wrote, "Frank Benson painted some of the most beautiful pictures ever executed by an American artist." Studying this book and relishing the exquisite paintings in it helps one to understand those highly complimentary words.

Although Bedford's title, "Frank W. Benson, American Impressionist" suggests an emphasis on his impressionist work, the book also shows other painting styles. During his lifetime Benson won most of the awards any artist could. Reading the book enables one to understand clearly why.