Circa 1947
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.
"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...
Masonite, 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...
Oil, Board
"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
"Seriously!"
By James Lechay
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Signed lower right Jim’s of Lambertville is proud to offer this artwork by: Rex Ashlock (1918 – 1999) Born in Spokane, Washington in 1918 Rex Ashlock was known for his abstract, f...
Canvas, Oil
"Looking Down"
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 ...
Oil, Board
"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...
Watercolor
"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...
Masonite, Oil
Portrait of a Young Woman
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Sylvia Bernstein (1918-1990). Portrait of a Young Woman, ca. 1960. Gouache on paper, image measures 9.5 inch h.., 10 inches w. ; 17 x 17 inches framed measurement. Signed lower right. Excellent condition. Born : New York City Education : National Academy of Design Exhibits (group) Juried Shows at : Allied Artists; Audubon Artists; National Society of Painters in Casein; Hudson River Museum; Butler Institute of American Art; Portland Summer Art Festival; Columbia Painting Biennial; Columbia Museum; Riverside Museum; Brick Store Museum; First National Exhibition of American Art, Chautauqua, New York; New York City Center; Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts; Philadelphia Watercolor Annual; Brooklyn Museum International Watercolor Exhibition; Art-USA; J & M Ringling Museum; 9th Annual American Watercolor Traveling Show; Whitney Museum of American Art; Parrish Museum; American Academy of Arts and Letters; Wadsworth Atheneum. Solo Exhibits 1956 Ruth White Gallery; 1959 Ruth White Gallery; 1959 Silvermine Guild of Artists; 1960 Ruth White Gallery. Awards : National Association of Women Artists, 1954, 1957; New York City Center 1956; 1957 Honorable Mention National Arts Club, Allied Artists, Jane C. Stanley Memorial Award, Grumbacher Award in Watercolor at New England Painting...
Gouache
"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
"Untitled"
By Jean Calogero
Located in Southampton, NY
Oil on canvas painting by Jean Calogero. Circa 1950. Signed lower right. Condition: Good. Overall in museum quality gold leaf frame 17.5 by 15.75 inches. Provenance: Manhattan Co...
Canvas, Oil
Vintage Portrait by Donald K Ryan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Donald K Ryan’s work spans mostly from the 80s to the early 2000s. Throughout his career he was juried into more than 40 local, regional, national, and international shows. He also p...
Canvas, Wood, Paint
"Portrait of a woman"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
Oil and tempera on cardboard
Oil, Tempera, Cardboard
