A Slice Of The Big Apple

Just like New York City itself, there are so many things to see in this fabulous painting, entitled "Lower Manhattan." The energy and vitality of the city are evident at every perspective presented in this work. This gouache on paper was painted in 1941 by artist Ben Benn.

Ben Benn (1884 - 1983) was born Benjamin Rosenberg in what is now southwest Ukraine. He moved at an early age with his family to the United States to escape religious persecution. He attended the National Academy of Design and would go on to participate in the Forum Exhibition of 1916 and the first annual exhibition of the Society of Independent Artists in 1917. His first solo show was held at J.B. Newmann’s New Art Circle gallery in 1925. His painting style varied over time and included cubism and abstract expressionism. Benn's works are featured in many fine institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Whitney, Hirshhorn Museum, and the Kreuller Collection in the Hague.