Portrait of Emmanuel Benner

The 21 Most Famous Emmanuel Benner Paintings, Each One of a Kind

Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 21 works by Emmanuel Benner in our catalogue

In short

Nude by a River (1884) is the Emmanuel Benner painting that draws the most eyes. After it, the eye goes to At the Water's Edge (1887) and Apollo and Daphne (1888). Among the 21 works of Emmanuel Benner in our catalog, these 21 are the most famous, each a unique original presented with its year, its museum and the reason it endures.

1836 – 1896, Mulhouse Most works: Musée National Jean-jacques Henner

Top 10 paintings by Emmanuel Benner, through the gallery's eye

1
Nude by a River (1884) by Emmanuel Benner

Nude by a River

1884 · Oil

The oil painting titled Nude by a River was created by the French artist Emmanuel Benner. This work dates to about 1884. The piece is a representation of a female figure within a natural setting, executed in the style of Academicism. Benner was a French Academic painter and draughtsman who was born in 1836 in Mulhouse, France.

2
At the Water's Edge (1887) by Emmanuel Benner

At the Water's Edge

1887 · Oil

The oil painting titled At the Water's Edge was created by the French artist Emmanuel Benner. This work dates to about 1887. The piece depicts a scene involving two nude women positioned within a natural landscape near a body of water.

3
Apollo and Daphne (1888) by Emmanuel Benner

Apollo and Daphne

1888 · Oil On Canvas · Musée Des Beaux Arts, Mulhouse

In this 1888 oil on canvas, a mythological scene unfolds within a dense woodland setting. The composition is defined by two opposing diagonal and vertical movements. On the right, a muscular, nude male figure, Apollo, lunges forward with arms outstretched, his body angled to suggest rapid motion. On the left, a slender, nude female figure, Daphne, is positioned in profile. She reaches upward and away from the pursuer, her vertical…

4
Summer Evening (1890) by Emmanuel Benner

Summer Evening

1890 · Oil On Canvas · Alte Nationalgalerie, Berlin

Summer Evening is an oil painting by the French artist Emmanuel Benner. Created about 1890, the work depicts a nude female figure reclining within a lush, natural landscape. The subject is positioned amidst dense vegetation, appearing integrated into the surrounding environment.

5
Leda and the Swan (1888) by Emmanuel Benner

Leda and the Swan

1888 · Oil On Canvas

The air feels heavy and still, as if the afternoon sun is struggling to pierce through a veil of mist. On a grassy bank, a woman sits in quiet repose, her pale skin glowing against the deep, lush greens of the riverbank. She is the focal point of this tranquil scene, her form creating a graceful vertical line that anchors the entire landscape. Nearby, the water reflects a pale, hazy…

6
Saint Jérôme (1896) by Emmanuel Benner

Saint Jérôme

1896 · Oil · Musée d'Orsay, Paris

A solitary, reclining male figure dominates the horizontal composition, captured in a state of profound physical or spiritual exhaustion. The subject lies prone, his body stretched across the canvas in a way that emphasizes vulnerability. Light emerges from the upper left, a sharp, directional force that carves out the musculature of the torso and catches the stark texture of a white beard. Much of the surrounding space is surrendered to…

8
Young Woman in a Costume from Capri (1900) by Emmanuel Benner

Young Woman in a Costume from Capri

1900 · Oil On Canvas · Musée Des Beaux Arts, Mulhouse

Young Woman in a Costume from Capri by Emmanuel Benner is a medium close-up portrait that focuses on the head and shoulders of the subject. The composition utilizes a side profile view, capturing the young woman as she faces toward the right of the frame. She is dressed in a traditional Capri costume, which includes a white garment with visible folds. A pop of saturated red fabric is draped behind…

Emmanuel Benner's famous paintings, numbers 11 to 21

Emmanuel Benner's famous paintings, period by period

The subjects that held Emmanuel Benner's eye

The four subjects that come back most often in these originals, each with its finest example.

The museums that keep Emmanuel Benner's originals

The 8 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.

Museum City Works by Emmanuel Benner Paintings from this list
Musée National Jean-jacques Henner, ParisMusée National Jean-jacques Henner Paris 7 Souvenir de Bretagne, Jean Baptiste enfant, Pifferari
Musée Des Beaux Arts, MulhouseMusée Des Beaux Arts Mulhouse 3 Apollo and Daphne, Young Woman in a Costume from Capri, Lakeside Dwelling
Alte Nationalgalerie, BerlinAlte Nationalgalerie Berlin 1 Summer Evening
Musée d'Orsay, ParisMusée d'Orsay Paris 1 Saint Jérôme
Château de Nemours, NemoursChâteau de Nemours Nemours 1 Jeune fille couchée sur un lit de bruyères
musée Petiet de Limoux, Limouxmusée Petiet de Limoux Limoux 1 Hunters in wait
Musée d'Art Moderne et Contemporain de Strasbourg, StrasbourgMusée d'Art Moderne et Contemporain de Strasbourg Strasbourg 1 Mary Magdalene in the Desert
Musée d'Unterlinden, ColmarMusée d'Unterlinden Colmar 1 A Family in the Stone Age

Emmanuel Benner across the decades: one unique original for each

Works per decade

Pick a decade to see the original that defines it.

Emmanuel Benner's paintings: questions for the gallery

What is the single most famous work of Emmanuel Benner?Reveal the answer

Nude by a River (1884). At the Water's Edge (1887) and Apollo and Daphne (1888) come next.

At what age did Emmanuel Benner create Nude by a River?Reveal the answer

48 years old: Nude by a River dates from 1884, and Emmanuel Benner was born in 1836.

Which ten paintings by Emmanuel Benner are the most famous?Reveal the answer

Nude by a River, At the Water's Edge, Apollo and Daphne, Summer Evening, Leda and the Swan, Saint Jérôme, Jeune fille couchée sur un lit de bruyères, Young Woman in a Costume from Capri, Hunters in wait and Reclining nude. The ranking above gives each one's year and museum.

How many works by Emmanuel Benner are known?Reveal the answer

Our catalog holds 21 works by Emmanuel Benner, dated from 1878 to 1896.

Where can the most famous Emmanuel Benner originals be seen?Reveal the answer

Mostly in Musée National Jean-jacques Henner (Paris), Musée Des Beaux Arts (Mulhouse) and Alte Nationalgalerie (Berlin). The museum table above lists them all.

During which period did Emmanuel Benner create the best-known paintings?Reveal the answer

In 1880s: 5 of the 21 works on this page were made then, Nude by a River among them.

Which famous Emmanuel Benner painting is the earliest, and which the latest?Reveal the answer

On this page, the earliest is Lakeside Dwelling (1878) and the latest Saint Jérôme (1896).

What subjects did Emmanuel Benner favour?Reveal the answer

Woman (7), Trees (6) and Nude (4), across the 21 works on this page.

What materials did Emmanuel Benner paint with most?Reveal the answer

Oil On Canvas, for 5 of the 21 works on this page.

What Emmanuel Benner originals can I see at the Musée National Jean-jacques Henner?Reveal the answer

Souvenir de Bretagne, Jean Baptiste enfant and Pifferari: the Musée National Jean-jacques Henner, Paris holds 7 of the works on this page.

Emmanuel Benner: a portrait of the artist

A Vision Rooted in Landscape: The World of Benner Emmanuel Michel (Many)

Benner Emmanuel Michel, often known as Many, is a contemporary artist whose work resonates with a quiet power and an intimate connection to the natural world. While biographical details remain intentionally sparse – Many prefers his art to speak for itself – his paintings offer compelling glimpses into a deeply felt sensibility. Emerging from a background steeped in observation and a profound appreciation for light and atmosphere, Michel has cultivated a unique style that blends elements of realism with subtle abstraction. He isn’t an artist who seeks grand pronouncements or overt displays; instead, he invites viewers to share in moments of contemplative beauty, captured on canvas with remarkable skill and sensitivity. His work is characterized by a masterful use of color, often employing muted palettes punctuated by bursts of vibrant energy, evoking the shifting moods of nature and the emotional landscapes within us all.

Early Influences & Artistic Development

Though details about his formal training are limited, it’s clear that Michel's artistic journey began with a dedication to direct observation. His early works demonstrate a keen eye for detail, particularly in rendering light and shadow across natural forms. It is evident he spent countless hours studying the nuances of landscapes – the way sunlight filters through trees, the subtle variations in color on water surfaces, the textures of earth and stone. These foundational skills are not merely technical; they represent a desire to truly *understand* the world before attempting to recreate it. Over time, this dedication evolved into a more expressive approach, incorporating elements of abstraction that allow him to convey not just what he sees, but how he feels in response to his surroundings. This shift wasn’t abrupt, but rather a gradual process of experimentation and refinement, driven by an internal need to move beyond mere representation towards a deeper emotional resonance. The influence of Impressionism is subtly present in his work – particularly the emphasis on capturing fleeting moments of light – yet Michel's style remains distinctly his own, marked by a quiet intensity and a unique sense of place.

Themes & Techniques: A Dialogue with Nature

Michel’s oeuvre primarily focuses on landscapes and portraits, often intertwined in ways that suggest a symbiotic relationship between the human figure and the natural world. His landscapes are not simply depictions of scenery; they are imbued with a sense of atmosphere and emotion, inviting viewers to step into the scene and experience it firsthand. He frequently depicts scenes bathed in soft light, creating a feeling of tranquility and introspection. His portraits, similarly, are less about capturing physical likeness than conveying the inner life of his subjects. They often appear as if emerging from or dissolving into their surroundings, suggesting a deep connection to nature and a sense of belonging. Technically, Michel is known for his layered approach to painting. He builds up surfaces with multiple glazes, creating depth and luminosity that draws the viewer in. His brushwork is often loose and expressive, yet always controlled, allowing him to capture both the broad forms of the landscape and the subtle details that bring it to life.
  • He frequently employs a limited color palette, relying on variations of blues, greens, browns, and grays.
  • His use of light is particularly noteworthy, creating a sense of atmosphere and depth.
  • The texture of his paintings often reflects the natural world – rough brushstrokes suggesting earth and stone, smooth glazes evoking water and sky.

Historical Significance & Contemporary Relevance

While still relatively early in his career, Benner Emmanuel Michel (Many) is rapidly gaining recognition for his unique artistic vision. His work stands out in a contemporary art landscape often dominated by conceptualism and spectacle. He offers a refreshing alternative – paintings that are deeply rooted in observation, emotion, and a genuine connection to the natural world. In an age of increasing disconnection from nature, Michel’s work serves as a powerful reminder of its beauty and importance. His ability to capture not just what he sees, but how he feels, resonates with viewers on a profound level, inviting them to slow down, contemplate, and reconnect with their own inner landscapes. He represents a continuation of the long tradition of landscape painting, yet his style is distinctly modern – marked by a quiet intensity and a unique sense of place that sets him apart from his contemporaries. His work isn’t about making grand statements; it's about creating moments of beauty and inviting viewers to share in them. This subtle power is what makes Benner Emmanuel Michel (Many) such a compelling and important artist today.