Asa Benjamin
William Jennys·1795
Historical Context
William Jennys' portrait of Asa Benjamin from 1795 represents the American folk portrait tradition of the Federal period. Jennys was an itinerant portraitist who traveled through Connecticut and Vermont painting likenesses of prosperous families in the new American Republic. While European-trained in style, his direct, forthright portraits capture the democratic values and self-reliant character of early American society.
Technical Analysis
Jennys' oil-on-canvas technique demonstrates the bold, linear approach of the American limner tradition with strong, clear lighting and precise delineation of features. The flat, even backgrounds and focused attention on the face reflect the folk portrait convention of prioritizing likeness over atmospheric sophistication.
Provenance
The sitter [1763-1833], Stratford, Connecticut; by descent in his family to Hannah Maria Benjamin Russell [1809-1894, Mrs. Lewis H. Russell], Stratford;[1] by descent to her granddaughter, Frances B. Russell, Stratford, by 1941.[2] (Mr. Aarons, Ansonia, Connecticut); sold 1952 to Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch (perhaps with Frederick Fuessenich as agent); gift 1953 to NGA. [1] Robyn Asleson, curator at the Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery, kindly brought to the NGA's attention the inclusion of this painting, as well as NGA 1953.5.20 and 1953.5.21, in an 1889 exhibition in Stratford (see her e-mail of 17 August 2020 to NGA curator Sarah Cash, in NGA curatorial files). The paintings were lent by Hannah M.B. Russell, indicating they had remained in the sitters' family, information that was not known when the NGA catalogue of its naïve American paintings was published in 1992. [2] Frederic F. Sherman, in _Richard Jennys, New England Portrait Painter_, Springfield, Massachusetts, 1941: 64, reproduces this painting with the credit line, "Property of Miss Frances B. Russell." On p. 65, Sherman notes that he found the painting in Stratford, Connecticut, presumably where Miss Russell lived.
