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 the resourceful spirit of the Federal era—a decorative artist, portraitist, engraver, and even a designer of civic symbols. His career, though marked by periods…