Benjamin Champney (Massachusetts/New Hampshire, 1817 – 1907) oil on canvas landscape titled "Mountain Lake" depicting a panoramic mountain scene with scattered trees in the foreground and figures ascending a winding mountain path w/ a large lake depicted in the middle ground bordered by rugged mountains. Signed lower left and dated, "B. Champney '69". Housed in a carved gilt wood molded frame. Sight – 8 3/4" H x 17 1/4" W. Framed – 14 1/2" H x 22 1/2" W. Provenance: Property of the Birmingham Museum of Art. Biography: Born in New Hampshire, Benjamin Champney began his career as a lithographer in Boston, but became a renowned landscape, portrait and floral painter. He was especially associated with scenes of the White Mountains of New Hampshire and has been called the "Dean of the White Mountain painters". In 1841, he took the first of several European trips, and these early travels inspired him to paint landscapes. About 1850, he began painting landscapes in America and spending his summers on the Saco River at North Conway, New Hampshire, and winters at Woburn, Massachusetts. He was a founder of the Boston Art Club and exhibited widely in Boston and New York. Sources: Michael David Zellman, 300 Years of American Art; Peter Hastings Falk (editor), Who Was Who in American Art. Condition: Some yellowing to varnish layer; wax relining. No inpainting visible under blacklight.