Painter and teacher, born in London. He studied at Slade School of Fine Art, 1956–61, gaining the Boise Scholarship which enabled him to work in Spain, 1961–2. From 1959 Levene began appearing in group exhibitions at Beaux Arts Gallery, RA, LG and abroad. After sharing a show with Olwyn Bowey at New Grafton Gallery in 1969 he had the first of several solo exhibitions at Thackeray Gallery in 1973. Also showed regularly with Browse & Darby. Usually signed work with a B L monogram, although early work used Gerald Levene, his given name. Taught part-time at Camberwell School of Art and Royal Academy Schools and was elected RA in 1986. Work in many public collections. Levene was a rich Colourist, handling genre, landscape and still life in oil and watercolour.