Frank Weston Benson American, 1862–1951 Herons at Rest, 1923 Drypoint on paper Frank Weston Benson combined a love for the outdoors with a passion for etching. Herons at Rest joins his observational abilities and his masterful technique. Benson used the velvety lines associated with the drypoint technique to describe the soft plumage of the waterfowl and the gnarled limb on which a trio of herons perch. Delicate lines define the horizon, plants and the disruption to the water’s surface made by the wading birds. Subtle plate tone lends an atmospheric quality to the sky and a faint tint to the water. The remainder of the composition is empty, allowing us to appreciate the quiet environment. Due to etchings like Herons at Rest, Benson is credited with helping make wildlife prints a distinct genre.
Gift of Robert B. Fizzell