19th and 20th century European and British Paintings

Jean Benner was born at Mulhouse, Haut Rhin, in 1836, the twin brother of Emmanuel Benner who was also to become a painter. Benner’s father, Jean Benner-Fries was a successful Mulhouse textile designer and painter who worked in Paris and England as well as in his native town.

Jean Benner, with his brother, began his artistic career as a designer of textiles and then began submitting paintings at the Paris Salon from 1857.

In 1866, Benner travelled to Capri where he was inspired by its outstanding natural beauty, so much so that he settled in Capri for a while. In 1873, in Capri, Benner’s wife gave birth to a son, Emmanuel Michel (Manny), who also became an artist.