Benjamin Champney Born in New Hampshire, he began his career as a lithographer in Boston, but became a renowned landscape, portrait and floral painter. He was early encouraged by the highly acclaimed Washington Allston, who persuaded him to study in Europe. In 1841, he took the first of numerous European trips, which usually included Italy and Paris, and the early travels inspired him to paint landscapes. His landscapes subjects were usually the North Conway region of New Hampshire and his method was to combine detail with panorama. He spent many summers sketching in the White Mountains and the remainder of the year in his studio doing oil paintings from his sketches. Many of his floral works were directly from nature. He was also appreciated for his encouragement of aspiring artists, and in North Conway taught many classes applying Hudson River School painting techniques to the New Hampshire landscape. He was also a founder of the Boston Arts Club and exhibited widely in Boston and New York. His autobiography is titled: "Sixty Years' Memories of Art and Artists."

Biography with permission from AskArt.com

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