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Benjamin Galleries print view role Dealer/Gallery dates 1939-1979 city Chicago state IL sex n/a historical notes The Benjamin Galleries opened in Chicago in 1939 under the direction of Chicago dentist Dr. Benjamin Krohn (1904-1957), an accomplished painter in his own right. Dr. Krohn's goal was to sell good art in a broad price range in an informal setting. To this end, the Gallery's first location was in Dr. Krohn's apartment at 222 E. Ontario, and later moved to his second apartment at 154 E. Superior Street. Dr. Krohn intially exhibited School of Paris artists; at the outset of World War II, he began to feature local artists, including Gertrude Abercrombie, Ellen Lanyon, Eleanor Coen, Aaron Bohrod, and Roland Ginzel. After Krohn's death his wife Neva continued to operate the gallery, now at 900 N. Michigan Avenue, and exhibited established American painters and sculptors until she sold the business in 1979 to Orville C. Beattie (1918-2005); frequently referred to as Carl Beattie. After Beattie took over the gallery was renamed Benjamin-Beattie Ltd. Fine Arts; also known as Benjamin-Beattie Galleries. Beattie served as president and director for eighteen years decades of activity 1940-1950 1950-1960 1960-1970 1970-1980 updated 02/14/2025 10:12:26 bibliographic search Search Frick Art Reference Library Catalog Search Photoarchive Search Worldcat Search Wikidata Entry Archives/Repository Collection Title Collection Details The Ryerson & Burnham Archives Art Institute of Chicago Benjamin Galleries Records, 1920-1988 see details... Chicago History Museum Research Center [Miscellaneous exhibition catalogs, announcements, etc.]. see details... Newberry Library Roger and Julie Baskes Department of Special Collections 60 West Walton Street Robert Hunter Middleton Papers, 1921-1985. see details... Chicago History Museum Research Center Benjamin Galleries records [manuscript], 1941-1979. see details... «  back