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Ben Fenske

American, b. 1978

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.

Average Sold Price
$7,713
Styles
Materials
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"Secret Beach Panorama in Early Autumn" - oil painting, Hamptons Seascape clouds
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"Secret Beach Panorama in Early Autumn" is an oil painting by American Impressionist Ben Fenske. A large scale composition of a Sag Harbor beach vista. The foreground shows green gra...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Impressionist Ben Fenske

Materials

Linen, Oil

"Secret Beach, Clouds" - oil painting, Sag Harbor beach with sailboats, framed
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"Secret Beach, Clouds" is an oil painting on canvas by American Neo-Impressionist Ben Fenske. It depicts a Hamptons beach view with a sandy shoreline in the foreground, green grass, ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Ben Fenske

Materials

Oil, Canvas

"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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Ben Fenske

Materials

Linen, Oil

"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...
Category

2010s Impressionist Ben Fenske

Materials

Oil, Linen

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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Impressionist Ben Fenske

Materials

Oil, Linen

Bea, Garden
H 31.5 in W 23.5 in
"Soft Yellow Sunset" soft contemporary impressionist oil painting in Sag Harbor
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"Soft Yellow Sunset" soft contemporary impressionist oil painting of the sun setting over Noyack Bay in Sag Harbor, New York. Fenske works in a loose-im...
Category

2010s American Impressionist Ben Fenske

Materials

Linen, Oil, Canvas

"Long Beach Study" oil painting on wood panel, color value sketch, yellow, blues
By Ben Fenske
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Painted en plein air in Sag Harbor, NY. A favorite local beach to watch the sunset over Noyac Bay. Painted on wood panel with loose brushstrokes, an impressionist painting that is ne...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Impressionist Ben Fenske

Materials

Oil, Panel

"Boat Yard, Lifting Fog" oil painting, American realist, old boats in a harbor
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, view from the bow. A small rowboat rests in the foreground. A couple of fishing shac...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Impressionist Ben Fenske

Materials

Linen, Oil

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Ben Fenske Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMediumCreation Year
2024$15,045Landscape Paintings, More ArtCanvas, Linen, Oil Paint2023
2024$380Figurative Drawings and Watercolors, Nude Drawings and WatercolorsPaper, Charcoal2009
$7,713
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$380-$15,045
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Artists Similar to Ben Fenske

Ben Fenske art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Ben Fenske art available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of art to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of yellow and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Ben Fenske in paint, oil paint, fabric and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 21st century and contemporary and is mostly associated with the Impressionist style. Not every interior allows for large Ben Fenske art, so small editions measuring 8 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Joseph Barrett, Kathleen Keifer, and Nelson H. White. Ben Fenske art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $300 and tops out at $80,000, while the average work can sell for $12,000.

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