A Bostonian Ingenuity: The Life and Art of John Ritto Penniman John Ritto Penniman, a name perhaps less celebrated than his mentor Gilbert Stuart, nevertheless occupies a fascinating niche in the annals of early American art. Born around 1782 in Milford, Massachusetts, Penniman’s life unfolded against the backdrop of a burgeoning nation striving to define its own artistic identity. He wasn't merely a painter; he was an embodiment of t…