Leo Bensemann is not a household name in New Zealand, but he played an important role which had a big impact on our arts scene - as a close friend of Rita Angus, Douglas Lilburn and many others, as well as being an accomplished artist in his own right.
Peter Simpson is the author of Fantastica:The World of Leo Bensemann and an authority on Bensemann and joins us with more.
Self-Portrait c. 1937-38. (Private collection)
Rita Angus 1937. (Te Papa)
Albion Wright 1947. (Christchurch Art Gallery)
Caroline Oliver 1940: (Private collection)
Golden Bay Landscape 1982. (Canterbury University)
Lawrence Baigent 1940. (Private collection)
Takaka Landscape 1981. (Private collection)
Leo Bensemann, Rita Angus and Peggy Bensemann, Cambridge Terrace, 1938 (photo: Lawrence Baigent)
Takaka Triptych 1969 (Private collection)
Peter Simpson, Fantastica: The World of Leo Bensemann, AUP, 2011
James K. Baxter, The Fallen House, Caxton Press, 1953, cover by Leo Bensemann
M.H Holcroft, Encircling Seas, 1946. Cover by Leo Bensemann
