Paper

Student Artwork Guide

Waders

Name Class Date

Frank Weston Benson, Waders (1933). Public domain. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Frank Weston Benson topimpressionists.com/en/artists/frank-weston-benson/
Artist’s dates
1862 – 1951
Painted
1933
Original size
18 x 31 cm

In context

Waders — Frank Weston Benson

How big is it?

The original measures 18 × 31 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When was this painted?

  1. 1860
  2. 1870
  3. 1880
  4. 1890
  5. 1900
  6. 1910
  7. 1920
  8. 1930
  9. 1940
  10. 1950

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 89 at death.

Painted when the artist was 71. The artist lived to 89. 37 of the 38 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

Shaded: the lifetime of Frank Weston Benson (1862–1951) ▲ this work, 1933 every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1894 Main working years: 1894–1917 Late works: from 1917

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

Compare with

  • Young Girl by a Window, 1911 topimpressionists.com/en/art/frank-weston-benson-young-girl-by-a-window-D693SG-en/
  • Two Boys topimpressionists.com/en/art/frank-weston-benson-two-boys-8DP6A6-en/
  • Summer topimpressionists.com/en/art/frank-weston-benson-summer-8DP69D-en/

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: topimpressionists.com/en/art/similar/frank-weston-benson-waders-AQR7KU-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Rosy Brown #b5a387

    Catalogued palette

    • #B5A387
    • #7A6A55
    • #251C15
    • #D6C5A6

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Neutrals The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Rosy Brown
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Gentle How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Unified Palette How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Brilliant How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Subtle Color How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Frank Weston Benson over the last twelve months — 4 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 80.6%
    2. 2 United States of America 11.3%
    3. 3 Singapore 6.5%
    4. 4 Germany 1.6%

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 20 most looked-at works by Frank Weston Benson

    1. 1 Two Boys 17.6%
    2. 2 Summer 11.2%
    3. 3 Young Girl by a Window, 1911 4.8%
    4. 4 Portrait of Amy Gordon Grant, 1896 2.4%
    5. 5 The Open Window, 1917 2.4%
    6. 6 Boating at Vinalhaven 2.4%
    7. 7 Sketch for a Mural, 1900 1.6%
    8. 8 Still Life, 1926 1.6%
    9. 9 Rainy Day, 1906 1.6%
    10. 10 Gertrude, 1899 1.6%
    11. 11 Self portrait, 1898 1.6%
    12. 12 Children in Woods 1.6%
    13. 13 Girls in the Garden 1.6%
    14. 14 Moonlight (also known as Moonlight on the Waters), 1901 1.6%
    15. 15 Miss Westinghouse (also known as Young Girl in White Dress), 1899 1.6%
    16. 16 Margaret Washburn Walker, 1886 1.6%
    17. 17 Water lilies, 1919 1.6%
    18. 18 The landing, 1915 1.6%
    19. 19 Alice Bacon (Mrs. W. Sturgis H. Lothrop) 1.6%
    20. 30 Waders, 1933 this painting 0.8%

    Together these works take 62.4% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 176 works by this artist, of which 61 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 30 of them, with 0.8% of that attention. The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    About this artwork

    Waders — Frank Weston Benson

    The painting "Waders" is a beautiful representation of nature, created by the talented American artist Frank Weston Benson in 1933. This drypoint piece, measuring 18 x 31 cm, is currently housed at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in the United States.

    A Brief Overview of the Artist

    Frank Weston Benson was a renowned American artist, born on March 24, 1862, in Salem, Massachusetts. He was known for his impressive works in impressionism, particularly in wildlife painting and portraiture. Benson was a member of the Ten American Painters group and was also an accomplished aquarellist.

    The Painting "Waders"

    The painting "Waders" showcases Benson's exceptional skill in capturing the beauty of nature. The piece features several birds standing in shallow water, creating a dynamic composition that highlights their movement and interactions. The use of drypoint technique adds an artistic touch to the image, emphasizing the contrast between light and shadow. Key Features of the Painting:

    Created using drypoint technique

    Measures 18 x 31 cm

    Housed at the Smithsonian American Art Museum

    Depicts several birds in shallow water, showcasing their natural behavior

    Obtaining a Reproduction of "Waders"

    For art enthusiasts and collectors, obtaining a reproduction of "Waders" is now possible through AllPaintingsStore.com. This platform offers hand-made oil painting reproductions of famous artworks, including those by Frank Weston Benson. Visit AllPaintingsStore.com to explore the available reproductions and learn more about the artist. Learn More About the Artist: For a deeper understanding of Frank Weston Benson's life and work, visit AllPaintingsStore.com or refer to his biography on Wikipedia.

    The captivating painting "Waders" by Frank Weston Benson is a testament to the artist's skill and attention to detail, making it a valuable addition to any art collection.

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Frank Weston Benson

    Born in Salem, United States of America

    early life and education

    frank weston benson, an american artist from salem, massachusetts, was born on march 24, 1862. his early life was marked by a deep appreciation for the sea, inherited from his grandfather, captain samuel benson. this fondness for the ocean would later influence his artistic style.

    career and influences

    benson's artistic career began with studying at the school of the museum of fine arts in boston under otto grundmann in 1880. he then moved to paris in 1883 to study at the académie julien, where he was influenced by jules-joseph lefebvre, william turner dannat, and gustave boulanger. benson's work was also deeply influenced by johannes vermeer and diego velázquez, masters of the seventeenth-century.

    artistic style and notable works

    benson's style is characterized by his realistic portraits, american impressionist paintings, watercolors, and etchings. some of his most notable works include:

    summer, a depiction of his daughters outdoors at benson's summer home, wooster farm, on the island of north haven, maine.

    eleanor, a portrait showcasing his daughter, now housed in the museum of fine arts, boston.

    after the storm, an early work that marked his transition to impressionism.

    teaching and affiliations

    benson enjoyed a distinguished career as an instructor and department head at the school of the museum of fine arts, boston. he was also a founding member of the ten american painters, american academy of arts and letters, and the guild of boston artists.

    legacy and availability of work

    today, benson's work can be found in various museums and private collections. to explore more of his artwork, visit frank weston benson's page on AllPaintingsStore, where you can also find other artists like edwin augustus harleston and julian alden weir. for a deeper understanding of his influences, read about johannes vermeer and diego velázquez on wikipedia.

    view frank weston benson's artwork on AllPaintingsStore: summer

    explore american impressionism and its influences on wikipedia: american impressionism

    discover more about benson's life and work on AllPaintingsStore: frank weston benson

    important: this biography is based on the information available up to 2022 and may not reflect updates or new discoveries.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Waders

    topimpressionists.com/en/art/download/frank-weston-benson-waders-AQR7KU-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Benson, Frank Weston. Waders. 1933, https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/frank-weston-benson-waders-AQR7KU-en/
    APA
    Benson, Frank Weston (1933). Waders [Painting]. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/frank-weston-benson-waders-AQR7KU-en/
    Chicago
    Frank Weston Benson. Waders. 1933. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/frank-weston-benson-waders-AQR7KU-en/
    Harvard
    Benson, Frank Weston (1933) Waders. Available at: https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/frank-weston-benson-waders-AQR7KU-en/

    Look closely

    Waders — Frank Weston Benson

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Look back at Young Girl by a Window (1911), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    4. Frank Weston Benson was about 71 when this was made. What in it looks like the work of an artist at that stage?
    5. What might the artist have wanted you to feel?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Questions & Answers

    In what year was "Waders" by Frank Weston Benson created?

    "Waders" dates from 1933. The date places the work within Frank Weston Benson's career and its era.

    Where can I buy a print of "Waders" by Frank Weston Benson?

    A print of "Waders" by Frank Weston Benson can be ordered directly on its Fine Art Print page: a fine art print on cotton canvas or archival canvas paper.

    How do contrast and harmony combine in "Waders"?

    The color analysis of "Waders" by Frank Weston Benson records a gentle contrast and a unified palette harmony.