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.
$30,625
"Jo"
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...
Canvas, Oil
"Jo-Jo"
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 ...
Canvas, Oil
$1,600
H 27 in W 23 in D 2 in
A Dynamic Mid-Century Modern Horse Race Painting by Chicago Artist, Rudolph Pen
By Rudolph Pen
Located in Chicago, IL
A dynamic, 1950s Mid-Century Modern horse race painting by noted Chicago artist, Rudolph Pen. Artwork size: 27" x 23"; oil on Masonite. Framed size: 27 1/2" x 23 1/2". Signed "Pe...
Masonite, Oil
$1,650
H 10.75 in W 24.75 in
Bird Abstraction Gouache Painting, Mid-Century Modern, Signed, 1953
Located in Myrtle Beach, SC
Stephen Harty, Untitled (Bird Abstraction), gouache, 1953. Signed and dated lower left. A fine, meticulously rendered, mid-century, modernist gouache painting, with fresh colors on 1...
Gouache
$2,475
H 49 in W 40 in D 2 in
Large Exhibited Vintage American Dog Portrait Interior Scene Signed Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large Vintage American modernist interior scene dog portrait oil painting. Oil on canvas. Signed. Framed. Measuring: 49 by 40 inches overall, and 40 by 32 painting alone. Excellent...
Canvas, Oil
Untitled
By Robert McCauley
Located in Bozeman, MT
When I think of where McCauley fits into American art, as a contemporary painter, sculptor and naturalistic interpreter, I place him in the same philosophical tribe as Walton Ford, A...
Canvas, Oil, Wood Panel
$396Sale Price|20% Off
H 10 in W 8 in D 2 in
Antique American School Signed Framed Modernist Nature Abstract Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
Antique American modernist abstract oil painting. Oil on board. Framed. Image size, 5.5L x 7.5H.
Canvas, Oil
Encounters II
By Robert McCauley
Located in Bozeman, MT
When I think of where McCauley fits into American art, as a contemporary painter, sculptor and naturalistic interpreter, I place him in the same philosophical tribe as Walton Ford, A...
Canvas, Oil, Wood Panel
$2,950
H 31.5 in W 27 in
20th century English portrait of two Labrador Retriever dogs Sadie & Sophie
Located in Woodbury, CT
20th-century English portrait of two Labrador Retriever dogs Sadie & Sophie Owning a painting of two English Labrador Retriever dogs by D.J. Holdswor...
Canvas, Oil, Board
Modernist Abstract Bull
By Dick Crispo
Located in Soquel, CA
Unique modernist depiction of an abstracted bull by California artist Dick Crispo (American, b.1945), 1981. The earthtoned animal is outlined in bold strokes of black, and is rendered in an interesting fractured geometric style evocative of cubism's handling of perspective. Signed and dated lower left "D. Crispo '81", and on label on verso. Presented in a dark copper metal frame. Image size; 22.5"H x 28.75"L. An award winning artist, Crispo has studied at the Carmel Art Institute under John Cunningham and Sam Colburn...
Tempera
$2,500
H 23.25 in W 27.25 in D 2 in
Modern art painting of a small band of horses
Located in Colfax, CA
A modern art painting of three horses by artist Theodore Polos, in the manner of Marino Marini. Theodore C. Polos, (1901-1976), was a painter, printmaker and educator, was born in Mytilene, Greece. In 1916 Polos immigrated to the United States, settling in Boston first before moving to San Francisco in 1922. He studied art at the San Francisco Institute of Art, and at the College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland with Xavier Martinez...
Mixed Media
$329
H 13.78 in W 21.26 in D 0.79 in
Horses - Oil Painting by Vincenzo Di Giorgio - Mid-20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Horses is a modern artwork realized by Vincenzo Di Giorgio in the mid-20th century Painting on paper. Includes frame Hand signed on the lower margin
Canvas, Oil
Tom - Animal Cats Painting By Marc Zimmerman
By Marc Zimmerman
Located in Carmel, CA
'Tom' is a cheerful and lively painting that captures the playful and curious nature of cats in a beautiful setting. The bright and vibrant colors of the flowers and cat could make ...
Canvas, Oil
$1,800
H 25 in W 37 in D 2 in
A Dynamic Mid-Century Modern Horse Race Painting by Chicago Artist, Rudolph Pen
By Rudolph Pen
Located in Chicago, IL
A Large, Dynamic Mid-Century Modern Painting of a Horse Race by noted Chicago Artist, Rudolph Pen. Artwork size: 24" x 36"; oil on Masonite. Framed size: 25" x 37". Signed "Pen" ...
Masonite, Oil