Ben Fenske Figurative Paintings
American, b. 1978
One of the foremost American Impressionists of the 21st century, artist Ben Fenske is known for his bold, energetic brushstrokes and signature use of vivid colors. His figurative paintings, still-lifes and interiors are flooded with warm natural light and dazzle in their wealth of blues, greens and soft violets.
Born in 1978, Fenske grew up in the small rural town of St. Joseph, Minnesota. His interest in art began at an early age. When he was 12 years old, Fenske would spend a minimum of two hours each day drawing and painting, working with charcoal, watercolors, acrylics and pastels. His passion for art broadened in high school, leading him to attend the Minnesota River School of Fine Art at age 18. There, he studied under artists including Joseph Paquet and Darren Rousar.
Following a brief stint as a graphic designer, Fenske studied in Minneapolis at the Bougie Studio, learning figure drawing and cast drawing from artist Peter Bougie. Later, when he was in his early 20s, Fenske decided to go to Florence, Italy, to study painting and drawing at the Florence Academy of Art.
While in Florence, Fenske became inspired by French Impressionism of the 19th and 20th centuries as well as Old Masters paintings and Russian and Soviet art — notably the works of brothers Aleksei and Sergei Tkachev.
For more than a decade, Fenske divides his time between Sag Harbor, New York, and Italy’s Tuscan hills, where he draws inspiration for his landscapes from the surrounding countryside. In addition to his paintings, Fenske has a considerable portfolio of portrait drawings and nude sketches. He has also delved into figurative sculpture, such as the bronze Wild Boar, which he created with artist Richard Zinon.
Fenske regularly exhibits throughout the United States, including annually at the Grenning Gallery in the Hamptons. In 2016, he participated in the “BP Portrait Award Exhibition” at the National Portrait Gallery in London. He was also named by American Artist magazine as one of the “Best 25 Living Artists” in 2012.
On 1stDibs, find a range of Ben Fenske paintings, drawings and sculptures.
to
4
1
2
9
14
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
30
30
21
9
23
19
7
6
4
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
30
30
25
17
13
77
411
324
244
213
21
7
30
Artist: Ben Fenske
"Window" modern impressionist painting of woman gazing into Tuscan countryside
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"Window" is a modern impressionist painting of a seated woman looking out her window at a beautiful Tuscan Landscape. She wears a yellow dress and a dark jacket. The natural light b...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Ben Fenske Figurative Paintings
Materials
Linen, Oil
"Girl, Sunlight" large contemporary impressionist painting, Ben Fenske
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"Girl, Sunlight" is an oil painting by Contemporary Impressionist painter Ben Fenske. A soft depiction of a woman laying in grass, her arm reaching over her head, shading her eyes. A...
Category
2010s Impressionist Ben Fenske Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Linen
"Floral Sheets" contemporary impressionist painting of resting nude woman
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"Floral Sheets" is a contemporary impressionist painting of a resting nude woman.
A nude figure lies on her back on a bed. Colorful textiles surround her...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Ben Fenske Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
"Tea, Reading" impressionist composition of woman at the kitchen table, Tuscany
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"Tea, Reading" impressionist composition of woman at the kitchen table, Tuscany.
A woman sits in Fenske's kitchen, reading a book and sipping on tea. Light streams in through an open...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Impressionist Ben Fenske Figurative Paintings
Materials
Linen, Oil, Canvas
"Yellow Dress" contemporary figurative oil painting of woman at a sunny beach
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"Yellow Dress" is a contemporary impressionist oil painting.
In "Yellow Dress" we are presented with a proper lady, dressed in a flattering summer frock, arms raised behind her head...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Ben Fenske Figurative Paintings
Materials
Linen, Oil
"Golf" plein air oil painting, woman leaning on Fiat with dog in Tuscany, Italy
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"Golf" is a plein air oil painting of a woman leaning against her Fiat with her dog in Tuscany, Italy. Her dog sits at attention while she is relaxed.
Ben Fenske (b. 1978), althoug...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Ben Fenske Figurative Paintings
Materials
Linen, Oil, Canvas
"Daydream" contemporary impressionist painting, reclining nude at rest, colorful
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
An oil painting of a nude woman, sleeping cozily in the daytime. A nude figure sleeps curled up on a bed adorned with printed textiles. The open window beams light from a bright and ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Impressionist Ben Fenske Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
"Sailboat" contemporary impressionist oil painting of boat on the beach, summer
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"Sailboat" is a contemporary impressionist oil painting of boat on the beach, in summer. Painted en plein-air in Sag Harbor, New York. A single sailboat rests on the shore of a quiet...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Impressionist Ben Fenske Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"Pink Skirt" impressionist oil painting of woman sitting holding a book.
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"Pink Skirt" is an impressionist oil painting of woman sitting holding a book. Painted from life in his home in Chianti, Italy, his muse, Beatrice, sits on ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Ben Fenske Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"Walking in the Vineyard" woman and dog walking in Tuscan countryside
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"Walking in the Vineyard" is a contemporary impressionist painting of a woman walking her dog through a Tuscan Vineyard.
Framed Dimensions: 51.25 x 67 inches
Ben Fenske (b. 1978)...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Ben Fenske Figurative Paintings
Materials
Linen, Oil
Bea, Garden
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
A contemporary oil painting of a woman standing in a garden. Wearing a printed orange dress, she almost blends into the colorful landscape which surrounds her. Tall wild grass sits i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Impressionist Ben Fenske Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Linen
$11,000
"Red Dress" contemporary impressionist painting of woman laying in grass, Italy
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"Red Dress" is a contemporary oil painting of a woman resting out doors, shielding her eyes from the Tuscan sunshine.
Framed Dimensions: 40 x 52.5 inches
Signed bottom left corner
...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Ben Fenske Figurative Paintings
Materials
Linen, Oil
"Model, Astone Studio" Contemporary impressionist oil painting, female nude
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
After studying anatomy and academic painting at the Florence Academy of Art, Ben Fenske took the skills he learned and stepped back, putting his own hand into an academically proport...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Impressionist Ben Fenske Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Sketch for Reclining Nude, June
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
A loose sketch for a larger painting with the same name and composition.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Ben Fenske Figurative Paintings
Materials
Linen, Oil
"Kitchen" Impressionist, friends & family preparing dinner in Tuscan farmhouse
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Friends have brought over their dog to the artist's Tuscan farmhouse, and join in preparing an Italian meal. Fenske, always seeing potential for paintings in everyday life, decided t...
Category
2010s Impressionist Ben Fenske Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Linen, Oil
Mirror Summer Light
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
An oil on canvas painting of a woman sitting in front of a mirror, tending to her hair. Window open behind her admits natural light.
Ben Fenske (b. 1978) although a native of Minnes...
Category
2010s Impressionist Ben Fenske Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Sun Blocker
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
This painting is Unframed. Frame will be an additional cost.
Painted en plein-air on a beach in Italy, a female figure sits alone on a sunny day beneath a parasol, cascading shade a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Impressionist Ben Fenske Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Wood Panel
"Blue Light Nude, Bea" contemporary impressionist painting of standing muse
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"Blue Light Nude, Bea" is a contemporary impressionist oil painting of Fenske's muse, Bea.
The first painting of the "Bea Nudes Series" is a loose presentation of brushstrokes that ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Ben Fenske Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Linen
"Bed" Figurative, Impressionist painting of nude woman laying in bed
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"Bed" is an impressionist, figurative painting of a woman lying in bed.
Ben Fenske (b. 1978), although a native of Minnesota, has been working and living in Florence, Italy for over...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Ben Fenske Figurative Paintings
Materials
Linen, Oil
"Boat Yard, Lifting Fog" oil painting, American realist, old boats in a harbor
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Painted en plein-air at a marina on Long Island. An old time fishing boat is the central subject, view from the bow. A small rowboat rests in the foreground. A couple of fishing shac...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Impressionist Ben Fenske Figurative Paintings
Materials
Linen, Oil
"Book" contemporary impressionist painting of woman reading with open window
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"Book is an impressionist painting of a woman reading with a window that faces out at a beautiful Tuscan landscape.
Framed Dimensions: 23.6 x 25.6 inches
Ben Fenske (b. 1978), alt...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Ben Fenske Figurative Paintings
Materials
Linen, Oil
"Hanna Sketch" oil painting, impressionist girl in pink dress and sunhat
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
A stunning full-size portrait of a woman in a pink dress, straw hat, and red sandals. Although Fenske titles this work as only a sketch, we feel it’s a truly mesmerizing and dynamic ...
Category
2010s American Impressionist Ben Fenske Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"Parked Panda" plein air painting of Fenske's Fiat in Tuscan landscape
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"Parked Panda" is a plein air oil painting of Fenske's Fiat in Tuscan landscape, where he lives.
Frame Dimensions 33 x 41in
Ben Fenske (b. 1978) although a native of Minnesota, a...
Category
2010s American Impressionist Ben Fenske Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil, Linen
"Amy Outside" 2018 - oil painting, portrait of a woman outdoors sunny yellow hue
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
An oil on canvas painting of a woman outdoors, a curvy tree in the near distance frames her portrait. She wears a yellow short sleeve button-down and a matching scarf in her hair.
...
Category
2010s Impressionist Ben Fenske Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Jess Panda, Sketch
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
A contemporary oil painting of a woman stepping out of her small car, a Fiat Panda. Painted from life, shadows are purple and atmospheric. She's parked on bright green grass, in rura...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Impressionist Ben Fenske Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
"Summer" Neo Impressionist landscape of Fiat driving along Tuscan countryside
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Tuscan Summer is preserved in this Neo impressionist style oil painting. A woman in a Fiat drives along the dirt road with the windows down, enjoying the fresh air. The landscape inc...
Category
2010s Impressionist Ben Fenske Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil, Linen
"Bar Scene" small impressionist oil painting - study
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
A small sketch by American Impressionist, Ben Fenske. Painted on site at a local pub, Ben Fenske sketches out an incoherent bar scene. Perhaps the obscurity of forms is a nod to the ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Impressionist Ben Fenske Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Panel
"Spring, Wildflowers" Neo Impressionist still life of red poppies in Tuscany
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
An oil painting of Tuscan wildflowers (red poppies, chamomile, and daisies), by Contemporary American Impressionist Ben Fenske.
Painting dimensions: 35.5 x 29.5 inches
Framed Dimen...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Ben Fenske Figurative Paintings
Materials
Linen, Oil
"Bea, Sunset Road Sketch" Impressionist landscape with sunset
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Painted en plein air in Chianti, Italy, Beatrice walks down a a shrub-lined path. A yellow sky indicates the sun has just set beneath the horizon. The horizon is blue, depicting dist...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Impressionist Ben Fenske Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Panel
Bea, Sunset Road Sketch
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Painted en plein air in Chianti, Italy, Beatrice walks down a a shrub-lined path. A yellow sky indicates the sun has just set beneath the horizon. The horizon is blue, depicting dist...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Impressionist Ben Fenske Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Panel
Ben Fenske figurative paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Ben Fenske figurative paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Ben Fenske in oil paint, paint, fabric and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 21st century and contemporary and is mostly associated with the Impressionist style. Not every interior allows for large Ben Fenske figurative paintings, so small editions measuring 12 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Marc Dalessio, Donald S. Vogel, and Leigh Ann Van Fossan. Ben Fenske figurative paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,000 and tops out at $68,500, while the average work can sell for $13,675.