Benjamin Champney was a painter known for his role in White Mountain art of the 19th century. He began his training as a lithographer under celebrated marine artist Fitz Henry Lane at Pendleton's Lithography shop in Boston. Most art historians consider him the founder of the "North Conway Colony" of painters who came to North Conway, New Hampshire, and the surrounding area during the second half of the 19th century. His paintings were often used to make chromolithographs that were subsequently sold to tourists who could not afford Champney's originals. He exhibited regularly at the Boston Athenæum and was a founder of the Boston Art Club.
Benjamin Champney
Saco River, North Conway
Winter Scene, North Moat Mountain, New Hampshire, 1873
Moat Mountain from Walker's Pond, New Hampshire, 1878
White Mountain art is the body of work created during the 19th century by over four hundred artists who painted landscape scenes of the White Mountains of New Hampshire in order to promote the region and, consequently, sell their works of art.
Thomas Hill (1829–1908) Mount Lafayette in Winter 1870
Thomas Hill (1829–1908) Crawford Notch 1872 Collection of the New Hampshire Historical Society
John Frederick Kensett (1816–1872) Mount Washington from the Valley of Conway
Benjamin Champney at the age of 17