Gershon Benjamin Portrait Paintings
American, 1899-1985
In a body of work that spans seven decades, obscure American modernist artist Gershon Benjamin explored a varied range of tone, style and subject matter in watercolor, oil and charcoal. Not one to resign himself to a single trademark theme, Benjamin focused on an eclectic array of subjects. His paintings included landscapes, portraits, still lifes and urban scenes.
Benjamin was born in Romania just before the turn of the 20th century. His family moved to Montreal in 1901 to escape ethnic persecution. At 10, Benjamin began studying art at the Canadian Council of Arts and Manufacturers, in Quebec. When he was 12, the Royal Canadian Academy admitted Benjamin.
In 1923, Benjamin moved to New York City, where he secured a night job in the art department of The Sun newspaper. He also enrolled in the Art Students League, where he learned engraving from the notable lithographer Joseph Pennell and drawing from illustrator John Sloan.
Benjamin found inspiration in the work of Pablo Picasso and Paul Cézanne. He depicted urban life in meditative Expressionist paintings that later drew comparisons to the Ashcan School — Benjamin painted scenes of New York City’s blocky skyline, elevated subway trains, empty streets at dawn and the Brooklyn Bridge as he saw them on his way home from his night shift at the newspaper.
In New York, Benjamin forged friendships with creative people who were as in love with art as he was and painted with them in Gloucester, Massachusetts, during the city’s hot summers. A number of his acquaintances found a fair amount of fame — including artists Mark Rothko, Raphael Soyer and Milton Avery — whereas Benjamin sought none. And when artists of the era in Manhattan and elsewhere began to work in the style that would become known as Abstract Expressionism, Benjamin continued to create representational art. He remained largely obscure throughout his career, declining to promote or market his still lifes, landscapes and portraiture.
Benjamin's works are held in a number of private and public collections including the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and the Ulrich Museum of Art.
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Artist: Gershon Benjamin
"Milton Avery #6"
By Gershon Benjamin
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Gershon Benjamin (1899-1985)
An American Modernist of portraits, landscapes, still lives, and the urban scene, Gershon Benjamin sustained an active career for over seven decades. D...
Category
1930s Modern Gershon Benjamin Portrait Paintings
Materials
Pastel
"Lady with White Linen Hat"
By Gershon Benjamin
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Jim's of Lambertville Fine Art Gallery is proud to present this piece by Gershon Benjamin (1899 – 1985).
An American Modernist of portraits, landscapes, still lifes, and urban scene...
Category
1940s Gershon Benjamin Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"Theresa Thompson"
By Gershon Benjamin
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Jim’s of Lambertville is proud to offer this artwork by:
Gershon Benjamin (1899-1985)
An American Modernist of portraits, landscapes, still lives, and the urban scene, Gershon Benj...
Category
1940s Modern Gershon Benjamin Portrait Paintings
Materials
Masonite, Oil
"Jewel"
By Gershon Benjamin
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Jim’s of Lambertville is proud to offer this artwork by:
Gershon Benjamin (1899 - 1985)
An American Modernist of portraits, landscapes, still lives, and the urban scene, Gershon ...
Category
1940s Modern Gershon Benjamin Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"Rushelle in the Garden"
By Gershon Benjamin
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Jim’s of Lambertville is proud to offer this artwork by:
Gershon Benjamin (1899 - 1985)
An American Modernist of portraits, landscapes, still lives, and the urban scene, Gershon ...
Category
1940s Modern Gershon Benjamin Portrait Paintings
Materials
Masonite, Oil
"Milton Avery #4"
By Gershon Benjamin
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Jim’s of Lambertville is proud to offer this artwork by:
Gershon Benjamin (1899-1985)
An American Modernist of portraits, landscapes, still lives, and the urban scene, Gershon Benj...
Category
1960s American Modern Gershon Benjamin Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"Paula"
By Gershon Benjamin
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Jim’s of Lambertville is proud to offer this artwork by:
Gershon Benjamin (1899-1985)
An American Modernist of portraits, landscapes, still lives, and the urban scene, Gershon Benj...
Category
1940s Modern Gershon Benjamin Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil, Board
"Tommy"
By Gershon Benjamin
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Jim’s of Lambertville is proud to offer this artwork:
Gershon Benjamin (1899 - 1985)
An American Modernist of portraits, landscapes, still lives, and the urban scene, Gershon Ben...
Category
1930s Modern Gershon Benjamin Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil, Board
"Caroline #2"
By Gershon Benjamin
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Ashley John is proud to offer this artwork by:
Gershon Benjamin (1899 - 1985)
Gershon Benjamin is a painter of portraits, landscapes, still lives, and the urban scene. He had a pro...
Category
20th Century Abstract Gershon Benjamin Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil, Masonite
"Lee J. Cobb #3"
By Gershon Benjamin
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Jim’s of Lambertville is proud to offer this artwork by:
Gershon Benjamin (1899 - 1985)
An American Modernist of portraits, landscapes, still lives, and the urban scene, Gershon ...
Category
1930s Modern Gershon Benjamin Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
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Gershon Benjamin portrait paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Gershon Benjamin portrait paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Gershon Benjamin in oil paint, paint, canvas and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the modern style. Not every interior allows for large Gershon Benjamin portrait paintings, so small editions measuring 16 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Maurice Kish, Robert McIntosh, and Jean-Gabriel Domergue. Gershon Benjamin portrait paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $20,625 and tops out at $61,875, while the average work can sell for $55,625.