Thomas Benjamin Kennington was a respected painter of genre scenes and portraits, primarily known for his enchanting depictions of women. Born in Great Grimsby, Lincolnshire, he undertook his training in Liverpool before enrolling at South Kensington School of Art. He won numerous accolades during his training, which presumably encouraged him to travel to Paris and attend the distinguished Académie Julian.

Here, he worked with two figure painters of the highest order - William-Adolphe Bouguereau and Tony Robert-Fleury. Both were exceedingly academic and well-admired in the illustrious world of the Paris Salon. Kennington evidently respected his tutors as his own style is a direct reflection. In his scenes, the guiding hand of Bouguereau is particularly prominent, while we see a little of Robert-Fleury in his portraiture.

In 1880, he debuted at London’s Royal Academy with ‘Written Love’, where he continued to exhibit annually until his death in 1916. The mainstay of his shown works describe domestic subjects, such as demure young ladies clutching letters, siblings warming their feet by a kitchen hearth, and women gazing longingly into boudoir mirrors. But in addition, he also produced numerous grittier scenes focusing on the plight of the poor, such as Orphans (1885), which is at the Tate, and The Pinch of Poverty (1891), currently at the Foundling Museum. 

Thomas Benjamin Kennington, Orphans (1885)

Thomas Benjamin Kennington, The Pinch of Poverty (1889)

In 1888, as recognition of his success, he was elected a member of the Royal Society of British Artists, and a year later, became a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters (ROI). Numerous commissions subsequently followed and, in 1898, he produced a portrait of a suitably sombre Queen Victoria.

Following the loss of his wife, he spent his remaining years in Chelsea with his cousin and son - continuing to work at the highest echelon until his death in 1916. His son was the painter, sculptor, and illustrator Eric Henri Kennington (1888-1960).

Aside from the museums referred to above, Thomas Benjamin Kennington is also represented at King's College London, the Royal Society of Medicine, and the Walker Art Gallery.

Exhibited

Royal Academy, Grosvenor Gallery, Goupil Gallery, New English Art Club, New Gallery, Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Suffolk Street Gallery, Royal Society of British Artists, Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours, Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Royal Hibernian Academy, Manchester City Art Gallery, Royal Scottish Academy, Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts.

Public Collections

Alfred East Art Gallery, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Foundling Museum, Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre, Grimsby Town Hall, Hunterian Museum, John Rylands Research Institute and Library, King's College London, Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru / The National Library of Wales, Museum of Lincolnshire Life, Neath Town Hall, Retford Town Hall, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Royal Society of Medicine, The Royal Society of Musicians of Great Britain, The Whitworth, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, Walker Art Gallery, Tate.

Timeline

1856

Born in Great Grimsby, Lincolnshire, to William Kennington, a wine and spirit merchant, and Susanna Kennington (nee Drant).

1861

Lived in Great Grimsby with his parents, siblings and servants.

1871

Lived in Liverpool with his brother-in-law and family. Occupation recorded as decorator.

1876

Studied at the Liverpool School of Art where he was awarded a gold medal and the Queen’s Prize.

Studied at the South Kensington School of Art.

Studied at the Académie Julian in Paris under William-Adolphe Bouguereau and Tony Robert-Fleury.

1880

Debuted at the Royal Academy.

1881

Boarded at Richmond Terrace, Holdenhurst. Occupation recorded as ‘Artist’.

1883

Married Eliza L Stewene in Grimsby. The pair would have at least three children including the sculptor and war artist, Eric Henri Kennington RA (1888-1960). 

1886

Became a founder member of the New English Art Club.

1888

Elected a member of the Royal Society of British Artists. 

1889

Elected a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters.
Awarded a bronze medal at the Exposition Universelle in Paris.

1901

Lived in Chelsea, London, with his cousin, three children and servants. Occupation recorded as ‘Artist (Painter)’.

1911

Lived in Chelsea, London, with his cousin, son and servants. Occupation recorded as ‘Artist (Painter)’.

1916

Died in London.

Obituaries

Lincolnshire Echo

“The funeral took place at Brompton Cemetery, on Wednesday, of Mr. Thomas Benjamin Kennington, the well-known artist, born at Great Grimsby some sixty years ago. Mr. Kennington, who, for at least three-and-a-half decades had lived and worked in the neighbourhood of Chelsea, combined portraiture with the painting of subject pictures. To the Academy of 1699, for instance, he sent a portrait of Mr. H. J. Veal, then Mayor of Grimsby, and a canvas entitled ‘The Pinch of Poverty.’ It was this last which in 1909 was reproduced under the title of ‘Free, Trade,’ and issued by the thousand as a poster to support the Tariff Reform movement.”