Frank Weston Benson

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This article is about Frank W. Benson, American impressionist painter. For the politician of the same name, see Frank W. Benson (Oregon Governor).

Red and Gold, 1915, by Frank W. Benson

Eleanor Holding a Shell, 1902, by Frank W. Benson

Frank Weston Benson (March 24, 1862 - November 15, 1951) was an American Impressionist artist. Benson was a member of the Ten American Painters.

He was born in Salem, Massachusetts. In 1879, he began study at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and later at the Académie Julian in Paris. Upon return to America, he would become an instructor at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. His paintings often depict his daughters outdoors at Benson's summer home on the island of North Haven, Maine. He also did a series of paintings and etchings of wildfowl.

On October 19, 2006, a watercolor painting by Benson was sold at auction for $165,002USD. The painting was anonymously donated to an Oregon Goodwill Industries site, most likely without the owner knowing of its value. Bidding on the shopgoodwill.com website started at $10, and increased after the work was authenticated.[1]