Capri Roses By Many Benner

Oil on canvas depicting a garden on the island of Capri, signed Many Benner. In the foreground, imposing roses stand tall; behind them, a hedge partially conceals the architecture of a typical island house, with its light-colored facade and arched openings. The work is signed lower left. On the back of the frame is the inscription "(The Roses of Capri) MANY BENNER." Dimensions: 55 x 46 cm. Dimensions with frame: 78.5 x 68.5 cm. Benner, Emmanuel-Michel (1873-1965), known as Many, to avoid confusion with his uncle, Emmanuel Benner, also an artist. He trained at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and was a student of Jean-Jacques Henner, Benjamin Constant, and Lefebvre. Winner of the Second Grand Prix de Rome in 1894 and 1898, he exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Français from 1891, receiving a Medal of Honor in 1897. His work was also shown at the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Paris, the Maison d'Art Alsacienne in Strasbourg, the Galerie Aktuarius, and the Société des Amis des Arts in Mulhouse. A specialist in nudes and portraits, he also painted landscapes, notably of Italy and Capri, the birthplace of his maternal family. He represents the fourth generation of a dynasty of artists who have left their mark on the fine arts in France and Alsace. Many Benner was also the curator for life of the Musée National Jean-Jacques Henner in Paris and was named a Knight of the Legion of Honor in 1925.