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Gershon Benjamin Drawings and Watercolor 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.

Find original Gershon Benjamin paintings on 1stDibs.

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Artist: Gershon Benjamin
"The Swimming Pool"
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 Modern Gershon Benjamin Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Pastel

"Sunset in the City"
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

1950s Modern Gershon Benjamin Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Gouache

"Grazing"
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 Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Watercolor, Board

"Daisies #2"
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

1970s Modern Gershon Benjamin Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pastel

"Central Park"
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 Ben...
Category

1960s Modern Gershon Benjamin Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Pastel

"The Bather"
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

1950s Gershon Benjamin Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Watercolor, Gouache

"At MOMA, The Turner Exhibit"
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 Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

"Trees"
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

1970s Modern Gershon Benjamin Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Pastel

"Night Time Rooftops with Water Tanks"
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

1970s Modern Gershon Benjamin Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

"Ocean Grove Beach"
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

1950s Modern Gershon Benjamin Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pastel, Board

"Summer"
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

1920s Modern Gershon Benjamin Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pastel, Board

"Moonlight on the Brooklyn Bridge"
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 Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

"Bus Stop"
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 Ben...
Category

1950s Modern Gershon Benjamin Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

"Self Portrait"
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

1970s Modern Gershon Benjamin Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pastel

"The Model"
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

1910s Modern Gershon Benjamin Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Graphite

"Contemplation"
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

1920s Modern Gershon Benjamin Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Graphite

"Manhattan"
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

1920s Modern Gershon Benjamin Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Graphite

"After the Bath"
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 Ben...
Category

1940s Modern Gershon Benjamin Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pastel

"Lilian"
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

1920s Modern Gershon Benjamin Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

"Admired"
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 Ben...
Category

1940s Modern Gershon Benjamin Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Graphite

"The Pose"
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 Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Pastel

"The Blue Chair"
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 Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Pastel

"Reading"
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 Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pastel

"Attitude"
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 Ben...
Category

1930s Modern Gershon Benjamin Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Graphite

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The Card Players
The Card Players
H 25 in W 31 in D 2 in
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BENJAMIN, GERSHON (Born 1899 New York, New York), oil on heavy paper laid on Masonite, NYC buildings, 36 x 24 inches, signed lower middle. A glorious mid-century view of the New Yo...
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Gershon Benjamin drawings and watercolor paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Gershon Benjamin drawings and watercolor paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of drawings and watercolor paintings to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of blue, green and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Gershon Benjamin in paper, crayon, pastel 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 drawings and watercolor paintings, so small editions measuring 12 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Frank Wilcox, Jean Chapin, and Reginald Marsh. Gershon Benjamin drawings and watercolor paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $4,925 and tops out at $40,625, while the average work can sell for $9,950.

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