“Summer“, Frank W. Benson. On Google Art Project.
Original is in the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
The model for the very human representation of the allegorical figure was likely Benson’s wife, Ellen. I love the variety of color in her face and in the “white” gown.
Yes I love it, but what about that cataract in her eye?
This painting really is eye candy, with color all around. I looked at the Smithsonian site for the date of it and was right on as “Summer” fairly screams late 19th century with its wall of color. As for her eyes 🙂 viewing from ten feet away they give an air of mystery and I like that too! Thanks for sharing this as I’d never had the opp to see it before.
Wow, eye candy is right. I know exactly what I’m going to be doing this fall when I’m back near DC… thanks for making me aware fo this one. the Smithsonian is a treasure trove, but it’s hard to see everything.
Yes, the Smithsonian American Art Museum/National Portrait Gallery in particular doesn’t get the attention it deserves, as it’s off the mall. When you get there, don’t miss the Luce Center archives in the former – works in storage cases you can view. http://americanart.si.edu/luce/ BTW – you can take photos.
It’s beautiful. So many different varieties of color in one single color… It’s brilliant.
Hey Charlie,
There is a great show of Benson paintings (and some etchings)at the Farnsworth Museum in Rockland, Maine. The color and brushwork is absolutely stunning. The paintings really jump off the wall. Especially the paintings of his daughters in white dresses at their summer place on North Haven island in Maine.
Thanks, Colin. That sounds great.
For the benefit of other readers, here is the exhibit: http://farnsworthmuseum.org/exhibition/impressionist-summers-frank-w-bensons-north-haven
Unfortunately, there isn’t much of a preview online.
It’s wonderful, and the composition is so interesting, framed by those trees–he goes against all the rules, putting his focal point dead center, but it works. Gorgeous use of color and shading. She does look blind, though, doesn’t she?
