Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is in the public domain. Benjamin Pitman died in 1910; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1980.
In context
Hanging Cabinet — Benjamin Pitman
The original measures 97 × 87 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.
Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 88 at death.
Painted when the artist was 58. The artist lived to 88. 0 of the 1 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.
Shaded: the lifetime of Benjamin Pitman (1822–1910) ▲ this work, 1880 every dated painting, decade by decade
Measured from the image
Main colour
White #eeeeec
Catalogued palette
These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour
Artist and museum
Born in Trowbridge, United Kingdom
Born in the quiet English town of Trowbridge in 1822, Benjamin Pitman’s life was an extraordinary tapestry woven from the threads of linguistic innovation and artistic devotion. His early years were shaped by a unique duality; under the tutlege of the poet George Crabbe, he developed a profound sensitivity to the rhythms of language, while his brother, Isaac Pitman, introduced him to the meticulous, scientific world of phonography. This period was not merely about learning a craft but about mastering the very essence of sound and symbol. As he traveled across Great Britain lecturing on this revolutionary shorthand system, Benjamin became more than just a teacher; he became a pioneer of a new way to capture the fleeting spoken word, preparing him for a life that would bridge continents and disciplines.
The mid-19th century brought a transformative migration as Pitman crossed the Atlantic in 1853, carrying his linguistic expertise to the burgeoning United States. In America, his role evolved from a lecturer to a foundational figure in communication, establishing the Phonographic Institute and cementing the utility of Pitman shorthand in a rapidly expanding nation. Yet, it was amidst the smoke and shadows of the American Civil War that his presence became truly historical. Serving as an official stenographer during some of the era's most harrowing legal proceedings—most notably the inquest into the assassination of Abraham Lincoln—Pitman acted as a silent, precise witness to the unfolding tragedy of a nation. His ability to transcribe the gravity of these moments with unerring accuracy ensured that the voices of history were preserved for posterity.
In 1873, a profound metamorphosis occurred within Pitman, as he turned his gaze away from the ephemeral ink of journalism toward the enduring textures of the decorative arts. This transition marked his emergence as a vital proponent of the Arts and Crafts movement in America. Abandoning the rapid-fire pace of the newsroom, he embraced the slow, deliberate artistry of woodcarving and engraving. As an instructor at the McMicken School of Design, later known as the Art Academy of Cincinnati, he sought to instill a reverence for craftsmanship and the inherent beauty of natural materials. His work, characterized by an appreciation for intricate detail and organic form, reflected a deep-seated belief in the dignity of manual labor and the spiritual value of the handmade object. Through his dedication, Benjamin Pitman left behind a legacy that transcends the mere recording of words, finding instead a permanent expression in the very grain of the wood he so lovingly shaped.
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Look closely
Hanging Cabinet — Benjamin Pitman
Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.
Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.
Benjamin Pitman made "Hanging Cabinet" in 1880.
The perceived brightness of "Hanging Cabinet" by Benjamin Pitman is bright. It can be matched to the light of the intended space.
"Hanging Cabinet" is attributed to Benjamin Pitman.