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.
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...
Oil, Wood Panel
"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...
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 ...
Canvas, Oil
$20,000
"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 ...
Oil, Canvas
$25,000
"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...
Linen, Oil
$14,500
"Mirror Summer Light" oil painting, woman brushing hair in bedroom, open window
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...
Canvas, Oil
"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 ...
Oil, Linen
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.
Linen, Oil
$42,500
"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...
Canvas, Oil, Linen
$11,000
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...
Oil, Linen
$14,000
"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...
Canvas, Oil
$19,000
"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...
Linen, Oil, Canvas
$22,500
"Yellow Dress" contemporary figurative oil painting of a woman at beach, framed
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...
Linen, Oil
"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...
Oil
"Boat Yard, Lifting Fog" oil painting, American realist, Ben Fenske, framed
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, viewed from the bow. A small rowboat rests in the foreground. A couple of fishing sh...
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 ...
Canvas, Oil
"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...
Linen, Oil
$53,100
"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...
Canvas, Linen, Oil
“Self Portrait” oil painting, contemporary impressionist, Ben Fenske, framed
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
A self-portrait of contemporary painter, Ben Fenske. Loose brushstrokes and neutral tones make up this composition showing the artist's likeness from his chest to his head. A stern, ...
Canvas, Oil
$12,000
"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. ...
Canvas, Oil
$12,500
“Girl, Writing” impressionist oil painting of girl writing at table, warm tones
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
An oil painting of a woman seated at a desk, writing in a journal. A Neutral palette feels warm and intimate. Wildflowers are gathered in a vase on the table. She wears a sweater, su...
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...
Linen, Oil
$30,000
"Golf" oil painting, woman leaning on Fiat car with black 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. Framed in a custom italian go...
Linen, Oil, Canvas
$15,400
"Spring, Wildflowers" Oil painting, Impressionist still life red poppies, framed
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. The vase of flowers holds the center of the canvas, wi...
Linen, 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...
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...
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 ...
Oil, Panel
Nude Sitting
By Howard Rogers
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork "Sitting Nude" c.1990, is an oil painting on hardboard panel by noted American artist Howard Rogers, b.1932. It is signed at the lower right corner by the artist. The artwork (panel) size is 8.85 x 11.85 inches, framed size is 17.75 x 21 inches. Framed in original wooden gold and grey frame, with fabric liner and gold bevel. It is in excellent condition, the frame have very small minor restorations, practically invisible. About the artist: Howard Rogers wanted to be an artist for as long as he could remember. "I had no idea what an artist was when I was a kid," he laughs. "But I had a distant cousin who had gone to art school and I saw some of his drawings. They really impressed me." Born and raised in San Diego, California, Rogers now focuses on the future: "I kind of enjoy today and tomorrow and to heck with yesterday." While in high school, Rogers took some art classes and served as an apprentice sign painter, eventually becoming a journeyman. He was also a member of his high school track team, competing in the high jump, the hurdles and cross-country, as well as doing some bike racing. Following a stint in the Army, he began training for the Olympics in bike racing, trying out in 1948, 1952 and 1956. Today, "I ride a stationary bike in front of my easel three times a week." After trying out for the 1956 Olympics...
Oil
"Mt. Evans and Bierstadt, Colorado" Oil Painting
By David Shingler
Located in Denver, CO
David Shingler's (NC based) "Mt. Evans and Bierstadt, Colorado" is an oil painting that depicts a green grassy plain dotted with Pine trees leading to the snow capped mountains in th...
Oil, Wood Panel
$499
H 20 in W 16 in D 1 in
Mid Century Figure Study, Standing Woman with Plants
By Genevieve Rogers
Located in Soquel, CA
A beautiful mid century nude figure study of a red haired woman standing with plants by California artist Genevieve Rogers (American, 1904-1984). Unsigned, but acquired with a collec...
Laid Paper, Oil
$2,120Sale Price|20% Off
H 24 in W 30 in D 0.75 in
Portrait of a Man in Armchair, Mid Century Short Story Illustration
By Charles Kinghan
Located in Soquel, CA
Excellent figurative oil painting of a man seated in an armchair with papers strewn about the interior space by Charles Ross Kinghan (American, 18...
Linen, Oil
Mid Century Nude Study
Located in Soquel, CA
Beautiful oil painting of nude study titled "The Red Table Cloth" by Bay Area, California artist Shirley Loyst (American, b-1928), circa 1960. Exhibition...
Canvas, Oil
$1,320Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.89 in W 23.62 in
Portrait of a Woman After Gustav Klimt
Located in Soquel, CA
Portrait of a Woman After Gustav Klimt Finely detail oil on linen of a serene young woman stylized after Gustav Klimt by Valentin Skribins (Russian/F...
Linen, Oil
Bathers, Oil on Canvas, 1914
By Roger Grillon
Located in Saint Amans des cots, FR
Oil on canvas by Roger GRILLON (1881-1938), France, 1914. "Bathers". With frame: 114x94 cm - 44.9x37 inches ; without frame: 92x73cm - 36.2x28.75 inches. 30F format. Signed lower lef...
Canvas, Oil
$1,200
H 12 in W 12 in
"View to the Kitchen" (2010) By Jim Beckner, Original Interior Oil Painting
By Jim Beckner
Located in Denver, CO
Jim Beckner's (US based) "View to the Kitchen" is an original, handmade oil painting depicting a trio at a bar with a view to the establishment's kitchen. About the Artist: (Bor...
Canvas, Oil
$29,000
H 23 in W 26.5 in
"Woman Reading in an Interior" Vaclav Vytlacil, Loose Brushwork Portrait
By Vaclav Vytlacil
Located in New York, NY
Vaclav Vytlacil Woman Reading in an Interior, circa 1915 Signed lower right Oil on canvas 16 x 20 inches As a child, Vytlacil had taken art classes at the Art Institute of Chicago....
Canvas, Oil
$2,200
H 25 in W 21 in D 1.25 in
Seated Female Nude Figure in Oil on Canvas
By George Wishon
Located in Soquel, CA
Seated Female Nude Figure in Oil on Canvas Beautiful modern impressionist figure painting of a seated nude woman by George Wishon (American, 1937-2005). The two-toned light blue and...
Canvas, Oil
$1,000
H 16 in W 13 in D 1 in
"Spring Blooms in the Garden" Impressionistic Scene in style of Claude Monet
By Cindy Shaoul
Located in New York, NY
This painting depicts an impressionistic scene of Spring in the Garden, a poetic piece with beautiful details. The work reminds us of Claude Monet, with impressions similarly capture...
Oil, Wood Panel
$29,167
H 39.38 in W 30.71 in D 3.15 in
Elegant woman in the living room , Impressionist, Woman, Interior, 19 th 1898ca
Located in Torino, IT
Woman, Liberty, Inside, Eclecticism, Romanticism, Impressionism, Work of artistic interest abiut 130 years old, it will take about 50 days for export permits work signed lower left,...
Canvas, Oil
Sold
H 43.3 in W 62.99 in
”Bathers (Inspired by Plastov)” figurative oil painting; two women on beach
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
An oil painting by contemporary painter Ben Fenske, a seascape set in Sag Harbor, The Hamptons. Painted en plein air amongst the elements of wind, sun, and sea salt in the air. Fensk...
Canvas, Oil
Sold
H 35.4 in W 55.11 in
“Dering Harbour Sunset” warm evening beach-scape with dock and sailboats, framed
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
An oil painting of Shelter Island's Dering Harbor at sunset. A bright orange sky with hints of pink and yellow, meets a horizon of purple clouds. Backlit sailboats rest along the har...
Canvas, Oil
Sold
H 47.22 in W 69.93 in
“Summer” girl laying in sun, Italy, impressionist, oil painting
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Ben Fenske (b. 1978), although a native of Minnesota, has been working and living in Florence, Italy for over 15 years. An oil painter in the spirit of the 19th and 20th century impr...
Canvas, Oil
Sold
H 35.4 in W 47.2 in
"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 ...
Linen, Oil
Sold
H 47.2 in W 39.4 in
"Beach" Impressionist painting of nude woman collecting shells on a beach
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"Beach" is a figurative and impressionist painting of a woman collecting shells on a beach. Ben Fenske (b. 1978), although a native of Minnesota, has been working and living in Flor...
Linen, Oil
Horseshoe Crab
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Simple moments are heightened and romanticized in Fenske’s work, which recalls an important tenant of 19th century impressionist movement. They often sought to elevate the everyday p...
Canvas, Oil
Sold
H 74.8 in W 59.1 in D 0.5 in
"Amy, Buddy" woman petting dog after swim in summer Tuscan countryside
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"Amy, Buddy" is an oil paintings of a woman petting dog after swim in summer Tuscan countryside. Frame Dimensions 82 x 66in Ben Fenske (b. 1978, Minnesota) has been working and li...
Linen, Oil
Sold
H 47.2 in W 66.9 in D 0.5 in
"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...
Oil, Linen
Red Sail at Dering Harbor
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Painted en plein air on Shelter Island. Grassy sand dunes make up the foreground, and boars rest inside the harbor just off the main street. One sailboat sticks out, with it's bright...
Oil, Canvas
Girl, Morning
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
A stunning medium-sized portrait of a woman getting dressed in front of an open window. Glass window panes opened wide, allowing in bright natural l...
Canvas, Oil
Road to the House
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
A large scale, horizontally oriented oil painting of Fenske's home in Tuscany. An important canvas in his 2021 solo show, “Road to the House” depicts a a classic Tuscan farmhouse, ag...
Canvas, Oil
Girl, Dog, Early Summer
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
A large scale, horizontally oriented oil painting of a figure at rest in the grass, a dog beside her. The largest canvas in his 2021 solo show, “Girl, Dog, Early Summer...
Canvas, Oil