Reverend Benjamin Franklin Perkins

Rev. Benjamin Franklin Perkins was a self-taught American painter and preacher whose bold, vividly coloured works combined deep religious faith, patriotic fervour, and eccentric personal visions. Born in Alabama, one of 18 children, he worked in mills and mines before serving in the U.S. Marine Corps—earning a black belt in Japan and briefly serving as a bodyguard to President Calvin Coolidge. After preaching in rural Virginia for over a decade, Perkins turned to painting, channelling his philosophy of optimism and discipline into vibrant, symbolic canvases. His work is held in collections including the American Folk Art Museum.