Gershon Benjamin"New York Backyards Study"Circa 1934
Circa 1934
About the Item
- Creator:Gershon Benjamin (1899, American)
- Creation Year:Circa 1934
- Dimensions:Height: 23 in (58.42 cm)Width: 20 in (50.8 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Lambertville, NJ
- Reference Number:
Gershon Benjamin
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.
Find original Gershon Benjamin paintings on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Lambertville, NJ
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- "Peddlers Cart"By Gershon BenjaminLocated in Lambertville, NJJim’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
1920s Modern Landscape Paintings
MaterialsOil, Board
- "The Train Depot"By Gershon BenjaminLocated in Lambertville, NJJim’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
1930s Modern Landscape Paintings
MaterialsOil, Board
- "From the Studio, Manhattan"By Gershon BenjaminLocated in Lambertville, NJJim’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 Ben...Category
1940s Modern Landscape Paintings
MaterialsOil, Gouache, Board
- "Looking Down"By Gershon BenjaminLocated in Lambertville, NJJim’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
1920s Modern Landscape Paintings
MaterialsOil, Board
- "Study for Lone House"By John R. GrabachLocated in Lambertville, NJJim’s of Lambertville is proud to offer this artwork. Signed lower center. Complemented by hand carved frame. John R. Grabach (1886 - 1981) John Grabach was a high...Category
20th Century American Impressionist Landscape Paintings
MaterialsOil, Board
- "Canal Bend"By Evelyn FahertyLocated in Lambertville, NJJim’s of Lambertville is proud to offer this artwork. Signed lower right. Evelyn Faherty (1919-2015) Evelyn Faherty was born in the early 20th century and made her home in Yardley, Pennsylvania. She is a Bucks County Impressionist...Category
20th Century American Impressionist Landscape Paintings
MaterialsOil, Board
- Untitled (Houses and Railroad Tracks)By Harry LaneLocated in Los Angeles, CAUntitled (Houses and Railroad Tracks), c. 1940s, oil on canvas board, signed lower right, 16 x 20 inches, presented in a newer frame This work is part of our exhibition America Coas...Category
1940s American Modern Paintings
MaterialsOil, Board
- My Only Working ToolLocated in Los Angeles, CAMy Only Working Tool, 1949, oil on panel, signed and dated lower right, 16 x 12 inches, remnant of exhibition label verso, exhibited at the Art News Second Annual National Amateur Co...Category
1940s American Modern Paintings
MaterialsOil, Board
- Landscape with Green TreeBy Alfred Henry MaurerLocated in New York, NYAlfred Henry Maurer has been called the First American Modern because of his role in bringing modern methods of working to the United StatesCategory
Early 20th Century American Modern Landscape Paintings
MaterialsOil, Board
- Sunlit BayBy Henry Martin GasserLocated in New York, NYOn verso: H GASSERCategory
Mid-20th Century Modern Landscape Paintings
MaterialsBoard, Oil
- The Break of the HazeBy Aaron Henry GorsonLocated in New York, NYSigned lower right: AH GorsonCategory
1920s American Modern Landscape Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil, Board
- "Coney Island" Brooklyn NYC Amusement Park Mid-century American Scene WPA ModernBy Ludwig Bemelmans, 1898-1962Located in New York, NY"Coney Island" Brooklyn NYC Amusement Park Mid-century American Scene WPA Modern Ludwig Bemelmans (1898 – 1962), “Coney Island" 35 x 27 inches Oil on board Signed lower left Origin...Category
1940s American Modern Landscape Paintings
MaterialsOil, Board