Jump to content

Draft:Benjamin Kimberly Prins

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Benjamin Kimberly Prins
Born
Benjamin Kimberly Prins

(1901-01-20)20 January 1901
Died12 November 1980(1980-11-12) (aged 79)
NationalityDutch, American

Benjamin "Ben" Kimberly Prins (1901–1980) was a Dutch-American illustrator known for his work in magazines, advertisements, and corporate publications. His realistic and expressive style made him a sought-after commercial artist during the mid-20th century.

Biography

[edit]

Ben was born in Leiden, the Netherlands in 1901 to a Jewish family. In 1902, he moved to the United States. Ben began his artistic career at a young age, studying at the Art Students League of New York. His illustrations were primarily focused on social and domestic life, capturing the American middle class in moments of leisure, family life, and everyday activities.

Ben became a prominent figure in the illustration world, with his works featured in major publications like The Saturday Evening Post, Life, and Harper's Weekly. In addition to magazine covers, Ben also contributed to advertising campaigns and books, and his work helped define the visual aesthetic of the early 20th century American periodical scene. Prins was a contemporary of Norman Rockwell and created over 30 covers for The Saturday Evening Post from 1953 through 1962. They showed an innocent America, but his subjects often faced a dilemma or awkward situation, which reflected his Dutch influence, particularly reminiscent of the Dutch Golden Age. He eventually settled down in the town of Wilton, Connecticut, the home of the band Goose (American band).

In November of 1980, Ben died of a heart attack on the train tracks in New Canaan, Connecticut. Ben remains remembered for his distinctive contributions to American illustration, particularly in conveying relatable, often charming scenes of everyday life.

[edit]

https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2015/01/benjamin-kimberly-prins/