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.
"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...
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...
Paper, Watercolor, Gouache
"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 ...
Gouache
"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...
Pastel, Board
"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...
Paper, Watercolor, Board
"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 ...
Paper, Watercolor
"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...
Pastel
"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...
Paper, Watercolor
"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...
Pastel, Board
"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...
Paper, Pastel
"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...
Graphite
"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...
Pastel
"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...
Paper, Pastel
"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...
Graphite
"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...
Graphite
"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
"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...
Pastel
"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...
Paper, Pastel
"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...
Paper, Pastel
"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...
Watercolor
"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...
Paper, Watercolor
"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...
Pastel
$4,000
H 12.75 in W 9.9 in
Art Deco 1940s High Fashion Illustration Woman with Fan and Screen
Located in Miami, FL
French female illustrator Geneviève Thomas renders a highly stylized fashion illustration set against a seamless red background, The model is wearin...
Watercolor, Gouache, Paper
$16,000
H 18 in W 24 in
Handsome Couple in Sailboat - Collier's Magazine Illustration
By Earl Oliver Hurst
Located in Miami, FL
Collier's Magazine Illustration Signed lower left Watercolor on board From the Estate of Charles Martignette. Work is framed in a period wood frame Framed under glass Framed to an...
Watercolor, Board
$340
H 18.5 in W 12.5 in
1950's French Modernist/ Cubist Painting signed - Tall French Buildings
By Bernard Labbe
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Tall French Landscape by Bernard Labbe (French mid 20th century) signed original watercolour/ gouache painting on paper , unframed size: 18.5 x 12.5 inches condition: very good and r...
Ink, Watercolor, Gouache
Mid Century California Mission Landscape
Located in Soquel, CA
Beautiful mid century landscape of a historic California mission, highlighting its iconic architectural details such as a columned arches, white was...
Paper, Gouache, Cardboard
$1,200
H 12 in W 22.5 in D 0.13 in
A Charming 1940s Modern Watercolor of a City in Mexico w/ Cathedral and Rooftops
By Rudolph Pen
Located in Chicago, IL
A Charming 1940s Watercolor of a City in Mexico with Cathedral and Rooftops by Noted Chicago Artist, Rudolph T. Pen. A well executed early work by Pen, completed during the artist's...
Paper, Watercolor, Gouache
$227Sale Price|20% Off
H 14.57 in W 17.92 in
Oriental Landscapes With Palm Trees And Arab Houses. 1 Half Of The 20th Century.
Located in Firenze, IT
Fauve landscape with palm trees and Arab houses. 1 half of the 20th century. Gouache paintings on cardboard. Paintings is signed with monogram. Dimensions with Passepartout 45.5cm x ...
Paper, Watercolor, Gouache, Cardboard
$1,250
H 9.5 in W 11 in
Courtship, British Couple walking in a landscape in Edwardian dress
By John Strickland Goodall
Located in Woodbury, CT
John Strickland Goodall John Strickland Goodall was born in Heacham, Norfolk on 7 June 1908. He was the son of a famous heart specialist whose boasted seven generations of medics, a...
Paper, Gouache
$485
H 20 in W 25.5 in
A 1950s Mid-Century Modern Pastel Monoprint "Edgartown Harbor" by Francis Chapin
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A dynamic, unique Mid-Century Modern monoprint of a sailing regatta in Martha's Vineyard, "Edgartown Harbor", by notable Chicago Modern artist Francis Chapin. Lithograph on paper wi...
Pastel, Lithograph, Paper
$4,775
H 25.99 in W 40.16 in D 1.97 in
Demonstration #1 Hélène Duclos, 21st Century, Contemporary figurative art blue
By Hélène Duclos
Located in Paris, FR
Gouache, coloured pencil and graphite on paper Signed lower right Unique work 1 / Hélène DUCLOS, 2016 – Artist Statement “Questioning the human condition and the position of being ...
Paper, Gouache
Paysage avec batteuse a Montfoucault
By Camille Pissarro
Located in Palm Desert, CA
"Paysage avec batteuse a Montfoucault (Landscape with Thresher at Montfoucault)" is a pastel by French Impressionist Camille Pissarro. The artwork is signed lower right, "C. Pissarro". The framed piece measures 20 1/2 x 25 x 2 3/4 in. Camille Pissarro was born on July 10th 1830 on the Caribbean Island of St. Thomas. He live...
Paper, Pastel, Board
$345
H 29.75 in W 23 in D 1.25 in
A Charming Mid-Century Modern WC of Pirate's Alley, New Orleans, Vieux Carre
Located in Chicago, IL
A Charming 1940s Mid-Century Modern Watercolor of Pirate's Alley, New Orleans by Arlene S. Ezickson (Am. 1927-2003). Titled "Vieux Carre, New Orleans" the artwork is watercolor and ...
Paper, Ink, Watercolor, Board
$58,000
H 17.75 in W 15.5 in
New York Harbor with Ferry boats and Victorian Houses - Holiday Magazine Cover
By Saul Steinberg
Located in Miami, FL
Steinberg's Holiday Magazine Cover, " The North of Jersey " is similar to his famous New Yorker Cover "View of the World from 9th Avenue”. ...
India Ink, Gouache
$1,800
H 20 in W 16 in D 0.25 in
Post War Berkeley Hills Original Watercolor Painting of Victorian House, Signed
By Omer Ferdi Sahingil
Located in Soquel, CA
Post War Berkeley Hills Victorian House Original Watercolor Painting, Signed Original 1947 watercolor painting of Berkeley home in the featuring an iconic Queen Anne Victorian house...
Watercolor, Paper
$385
H 14 in W 18 in D 0.13 in
WPA Era, Industrial Scene Steel Mill by Chicago Modern Artist, Harold Haydon
By Harold Haydon
Located in Chicago, IL
A dynamic 1930s, WPA era industrial scene watercolor of a steel mill and factory workers by notable Chicago Modern artist, Harold Haydon. A wonderful example of early Twentieth Cent...
Watercolor, Paper
$12,000
H 21.5 in W 27.5 in
"Tugboat at Dock" Reginald Marsh, Modern WPA Industrial Ship, New York Docks
By Reginald Marsh
Located in New York, NY
Reginald Marsh Tugboat at Dock, circa 1937 Signed lower right Watercolor and pencil on paper 13 3/4 x 20 inches Housed in a Lowy frame. Provenance: Sotheby'...
Paper, Watercolor, Pencil
The Card Players
By Gershon Benjamin
Located in Wiscasett, ME
Gershon Benjamin c. 1933 Gouache on black paper Measures: 12" x 18" and 25" x 31" including the frame. Signed, titled and inscribed to verso '#646 The Card Players...
Gouache
Sold
H 42 in W 30 in
Manhattan- Modernist Mid 20th Century WPA modernism NYC large urban landscape
By Gershon Benjamin
Located in New York, NY
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...
Paper, Oil, Board
"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...
Paper, Graphite
"The Gossips"
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...
Paper, Watercolor
"Sleeping 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 Benj...
Paper, Gouache
"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...
Graphite
"City at Night"
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...
Watercolor