3 - Jean BENNER-FRIES (1796–1849)

Jean BENNER-FRIES (1796–1849) Still Life with Flowers and Grapes in a Romantic Landscape Oil on canvas, signed lower right, dated 1846. H_98 cm W_81 cm Jean Benner-Fries (1796–1849) was a French painter and draftsman of Alsatian origin, born on March 28, 1796, in Mulhouse and who died in that same city on November 21, 1849. He is best known for his naturalistic paintings of flowers and fruits. He developed a meticulous style, characterized by the finesse of his drawing and his great technical mastery, as well as by his attention to the details of nature. He also worked as a designer for the Mulhouse textile industry, contributing to the creation of decorative patterns for fabric-printing mills. He exhibited notably at the Paris Salon beginning in 1837 and received several awards at art exhibitions in Rouen. Married to Élisabeth Fries, he was the father of the painters Jean and Emmanuel Benner, who would carry on the family’s artistic tradition. His work thus bears witness to the close link between floral painting and the textile industry, both of which contributed to Mulhouse’s artistic renown in the 19th century. Related Works: A Still Life with a Bouquet by Jean BENNER-FRIES sold for 55,896 euros at the “Old Masters and 19th-Century Paintings” auction on June 2, 2026, at Christie’s in New York. A *Still Life with Exotic Flowers* is housed at the Museum of Textile Printing in Mulhouse.