Renowned artist Jason Benjamin described his art as experiential. Best known for his brooding landscapes and contemplative portraits, Benjamin brought the same poetic intensity and technical refinement to his still life practice. His still lifes—often featuring richly rendered botanicals, particularly lilies—are anything but passive studies of form. Instead, they serve as quiet meditations on transience, longing, and emotional excess.

Executed with precision and restraint, Benjamin’s compositions reveal a deep sensitivity to light, shadow, and surface. In 'More Than He Could Hold', Benjamin orchestrates a richly detailed botanical scene—lush lilies unfurl across the composition, their forms overlapping in a tightly controlled yet expressive arrangement. Executed with his signature precision, the etched surface reveals layers of colour and texture that suggest both realism and abstraction. The work reflects a dialogue with art historical traditions—from Baroque floral vanitas to modern graphic precision—while retaining a contemporary stillness and introspective resonance.

'More Than He Could Hold' is a classic example of the artists style, technical mastery and symbolic subtlety. This work is a lovely addition to collections with a focus on contemporary realism or modern interpretations of botanical still life.

Jason BENJAMIN (1971 - 2021)
'More than he could hold' 2005
Coloured etching on paper
Edition of 55
Image Size: 56 x 82 cm
Dimensions: 79 x 108 cm
Signed: Signed, editioned, and titled in margin below image

Comes with Letter of Provenance

Condition: Very Good: Describes a work of art's image as Excellent, but may show some small signs of surrounding wear to paper or frame. There are no tears to paper margin or disruption to the paint surface.

(c) The Artist or Assignee