Jean Benner (1836-1909)

Pupil of:

Pils, Henner, and Leon Bonnat

Jean Benner, the painter of "Reverie," is the twin brother of Emmanuel Benner, several examples of whom have been given in this work. He, like his brother, was a designer for the factories until about thirty years of age, when his savings enabled him to study painting. he went to Italy in 1866, after having had instruction in Paris from Pils, Henner, and Leon Bonnat. He had exhibited pictures at the Salon, however, since 1859, and since 1872 has received a number of medals.

The Blue Grotto, on the island of Capri, at the entrance to the Bay of Naples, is one of the natural wonders of the world. it is a cavern which can be entered only from the sea, whose interior is of magnificent proportions and a wonderful blue color, produced probably by the refraction by the water of the sunlight outside. Thousands of visitors cross the bay from Naples annually to visit the grotto, and the island itself is a favorite resort of artists, quite a colony of whom have formed a permanent settlement there, many of them marrying girls of the country. Jean Benner visited Capri while studying in Italy, and his picture represents a country girl bathing in the Blue Grotto, which is a favorite resort for this purpose during the midsummer heats.

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