The Life and Art of Benjamin Patersen
Born in Varberg to a family of customs clerks, Benjamin Patersen was a Swedish-born Russian painter and engraver. After studying art in Gothenburg under Simon Fick, he became a member of the Local Art Society. His early travels took him through Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania, including a period from 1774 to 1786 where he resided and worked in Riga. In 1787, he moved to St. Petersburg, eventually marrying in 1791 and baptizing his daughter in 1795. Patersen maintained a connection to Sweden throughout his life, visiting the country in 1806 and being named a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts in 1798.
Cityscapes and Imperial Commissions
While he began his career as a portraitist, Patersen shifted his focus to cityscapes at the age of 38. Following his move to St. Petersburg, he devoted his art to the city, creating a series of works depicting the banks of the Neva on commission by Tsar Paul I. This work led to his appointment as a court painter. His cityscapes often feature a defined horizon line, with the sky and the waters of the Neva playing significant roles in the composition.
Patersen’s body of work includes over 100 cityscapes of Petersburg, consisting of:
- 33 oil paintings
- Watercolours
- Tinted engravings
His depictions include prominent late XVIII century buildings such as the St. Michael's Castle, the Imperial Academy of Arts, and the Tauride Palace. Many of his works are currently held by the Hermitage.
Questions & Answers
How many artworks by Benjamin Patersen are available to browse?
You can browse 7 artworks by Benjamin Patersen on the All Artworks page.
Is there a complete list of Benjamin Patersen's artworks?
Every work by Benjamin Patersen on this website can be browsed from the artist's All Artworks page.
Can I study Benjamin Patersen's use of color across all works?
The Palette Genome of Benjamin Patersen is a page that presents the color profile of the artist's body of work.
Can I visit a virtual museum of Benjamin Patersen's works?
The 3D Museum of Benjamin Patersen is a page that displays the artist's artworks in a virtual three-dimensional gallery.
