Ben Abril (1923-June 7, 1995) was an American artist best known for his paintings of California, often depicting urban landscapes, vehicles, and buildings of historical interest.
[2] After serving in the air force during World War II, Abril studied briefly at the Glendale School of Allied Arts with Arthur Beaumont (1890-1973).
[3] From 1959 to 1963, Abril embarked on a series of thirty-six paintings of old buildings, including dilapidated Victorian mansions, in the Bunker Hill area of downtown Los Angeles.
[4] His work attracted the attention of Alexander Cowie, one of the "big three" art dealers of Southern California,[5] who in 1962 began to represent Abril.
A major exhibit of his work at the Cowie Wilshire Galleries in Los Angeles in 1964 was described as a "prodigious display" by Artforum: Ben Abril does not worry overmuch about the esthetic problems.
Whether his subject is taken from the rolling hills, beaches, sunlit slums, or suburbs, he makes swift bold statements in pure blazing colors that emphasize his enthusiasm as well as his often injudicious composition.
But this is not to say Abril’s reportorial style is a characteristic without merit, for with it he fulfills his intent—to transport you to the site depicted recognizable with the same familiarity as the old family homestead.
[3] In 1987, Abril was commissioned by Cardinal Mahoney to paint the San Fernando Mission; the work was presented to Pope John Paul II during his visit to Los Angeles, and is housed in the Vatican.