Items Similar to Untitled (Double sided watercolor) Recto: Figures seated at a table
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 15
Ben ShahnUntitled (Double sided watercolor) Recto: Figures seated at a table c. 1960
c. 1960
About the Item
Watercolor on paper
Most probably related to the artist's creation of images surrounding Haggadah (Passover) which he started in 1930 and finished with the publication of his book in 1965.
Note: Many of the illustrations in Shahn’s Haggadah were made around 1930. However, it was not until 1965 that the artist collected the drawings and watercolors together to form the printed Haggadah. Shahn said that the work “reflects my memories of the Passover in my father’s house. It reflects my early impressions and feelings; the images that were always invoked in my fancy by the majestic and meaningful ritual.” The theme of struggle against oppression, which is central to the Passover story, was a common one in Shahn’s work. At the time the Haggadah illustrations were made, Shahn was also working on a set of illustrations depicting the Dreyfus Affair, in which a Jewish Frenchman was falsely accused of espionage and imprisoned for nearly five years in the infamous Devil’s Island penal colony in French Guiana. From 1961 to 1967, Shahn worked on the stained glass at Temple Beth Zion, a Buffalo, NY synagogue designed by Harrison & Abramovitz.
The Haggadah is a Jewish text that sets forth the order of the Passover Seder. Reading the Haggadah at the Seder table is a fulfillment of the mitzvah to each Jew to "tell your son" of the Jewish liberation from slavery in Egypt as described in the Book of Exodus in the Torah ("And thou shalt tell thy son in that day, saying: It is because of that which the LORD did for me when I came forth out of Egypt."
Provenance: Dr. Elmer Kline, New York
Gallery: Gertrude Stein (see invoice)
Dr. Albert A. Holstein, New Jersey
Condition: Front, very good with fresh colors
Study verso: old mat staining from previous framing
- Creator:Ben Shahn (1898-1969, American)
- Creation Year:c. 1960
- Dimensions:Height: 15 in (38.1 cm)Width: 11.5 in (29.21 cm)Depth: 11 in (27.94 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:Very attractively frame, with a double window (front and back). Ready to hang in your home and enjoy.
- Gallery Location:Fairlawn, OH
- Reference Number:
Ben Shahn
Ben Shahn (1898 – 1969) was a Lithuanian-born American artist. He is best known for his works of social realism, his left-wing political views, and his series of lectures published as The Shape of Content. Shahn began his path to becoming an artist in New York, where he was first trained as a lithographer. Shahn's early experiences with lithography and graphic design is apparent in his later prints and paintings which often include the combination of text and image. Shahn's primary medium was egg tempera, popular among social realists. Shahn mixed different genres of art. His body of art is distinctive for its lack of traditional landscapes, still lifes, and portraits. Shahn used both expressive and precise visual languages, which he coalesced through the consistency of his authoritative line. Shahn is also noted for his use of unique symbolism, which is often compared to the imagery in Paul Klee's drawings. His art is striking but also introspective. He often captured figures engrossed in their own worlds. Although he used many mediums, his pieces are consistently thoughtful and playful.
About the Seller
5.0
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Platinum Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.
Established in 1978
1stDibs seller since 2013
718 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
Associations
International Fine Print Dealers Association
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Fairlawn, OH
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 10 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Bull engaging the muleta (Bull Fight)By Robert HallowellLocated in Fairlawn, OHBull engaging the muleta (Bull Fight) Signed with the Estate stamp lower left (See photo) Provenance: Estate of the Artist Marbella Gallery Inc., NYC Refer...Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Animal Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsWatercolor
- Two Women and a Child on the Beach at ProvincetownBy Charles DemuthLocated in Fairlawn, OHTwo Women and a Child on the Beach at Provincetown Unsigned. Watercolor on paper, c. 1934 A beautiful Provincetown beach scene, included in the catalogue raisonne. Please see Babcoc...Category
1930s American Modern Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
MaterialsWatercolor
- Bull Ring Brass - Mexico CityBy Stephen LongstreetLocated in Fairlawn, OHBull Ring Brass - Mexico City Watercolor, pen and ink on paper, 1955 Signed in ink, dated and titled in pencil (see photos) Condition: 1'' repaired tear left edge, along with other minor tears. Tape stains from previous matting visible in the four corners Image/Sheet size: 19 3/8 x 15 5/8 inches Provenance: Acquired directly from the Artist Joseph M. Erdelac, Cleveland, friend and patron of Longstreet Stephen Longstreet (1907-2002) The artist’s own grandchildren attempt to fathom the real life and nature of Stephen Longstreet, prolific author, artist, screenplay writer, and jazz aficionado. Born Chauncy Weiner (sometimes spelled Wiener) in New York City in 1907, Longstreet reinvented himself on a regular basis. Changing his name first to “Henry,” then “Henri,” he started his career as a commercial artist for a department store. In various public biographies he claimed to have studied in New York, London, and Paris, and said he was a student of cartoonist Ralph Barton (1891-1931). Facts that can be documented are that he was art editor for Golfer and Sportsman magazines, and was a contributor to various other magazines including The New Yorker, Saturday Evening Post, Colliers, Life, and Hooey, among others. He wrote sketches for NBC radio and the Rudy Vallee Show. In the 1930s, Longstreet worked and wrote under the names Thomas Burton, David Ormsbee, and Paul Haggard...Category
1950s American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsIndia Ink, Watercolor, Pen
- Head of a Young Woman with Blond HairBy William SommerLocated in Fairlawn, OHHead of a Young Woman with Blond Hair Watercolor on paper mounted on rag paper support, c. 1930 Signed with the Estate Stamp B Provenance: Estate of the Artist ...Category
1930s American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsWatercolor
- Lonly (Lonely)By Stephen LongstreetLocated in Fairlawn, OHSigned lower right Provenance: Joseph M. Erdelac, Cleveland, OH Possibly deaccessed from the Columbus Museum of Art THOMAS FRENCH FINE ART, LLC Stephen Longstreet (1907-2002) A...Category
20th Century American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsWatercolor
- Interior Scene with FiguresBy Louis SchankerLocated in Fairlawn, OHInterior Scene with Figures Ink and watercolor on paper, c. 1930's Signed with the Estate stamp lower center Condition: Loss upper right corner; two small tears lower margin Colors very fresh and vibrant Provenance: Jem Hom Gallery, Washington, D.C. Martin Dimanond Fine Arts, NYC (?) Louis Schanker (1903–1981)[1] was an American abstract artist. "He grew up in an Orthodox Jewish environment in the Bronx, New York. His parents, Sam, a tailor, and Fannie Schanker, were of Romanian descent.[2] He had five siblings.[3] At an early age he had an interest in both art and music He took art courses at Cooper Union, The Educational Alliance and The Art Students League with Barnett Newman, Mark Rothko and Milton Avery amongst others. During this time he shared a coldwater studio with the Soyer brothers, Chaim Gross and Adolph Gottlieb. In 1920 he traveled across the country. He lived the hobo life, joined the Sparks and then Barnum and Bailey circuses, later working as a thresher in the wheat fields of the Great Plains. There are elements in his works such as the circus murals...Category
1930s American Modern Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
MaterialsWatercolor
You May Also Like
- BYE BYE BIRDIE Original 1960 Broadway Musical Costume Drawing Tony Award ElvisLocated in New York, NYBYE BYE BIRDIE Original 1960 Broadway Musical Costume Drawing Tony Award Elvis. Miles White (1915 – 2000) BYE BYE BIRDIE 11 x 8 inches Mixed Media on...Category
1960s American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsWatercolor, Gouache, Pencil
- Glassblowers WPA American Scene Mid- 20th Century Modern Figurative Workers 1932By Harry GottliebLocated in New York, NYGlassblowers WPA American Scene Mid- 20th Century Modern Figurative Workers. Dated and signed "32 Harry Gottlieb" lower right. Sight: 13 1/8" H x 18 1/4" W. Harry Gottlieb, painter, screenprinter, educator, and lithographer, was born in Bucharest, Rumania. He emigrated to America in 1907, and his family settled in Minneapolis. From 1915 to 1917, Gottlieb attended the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. After a short stint as an illustrator for the U.S. Navy, Gottlieb moved to New York City; he became a scenic and costume designer for Eugene O"Neill's Provincetown Theater Group. He also studied at the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts and the National Academy of Design. He was one of America's first Social Realist painters, influenced by that Robert Henri-led movement in New York City where Gottlieb settled in 1918. He was also a pioneer in screen printing, which he learned while working for the WPA. He married Eugenie Gershoy, and the couple joined the artist colony at Woodstock, New York. He lectured widely on art education. In 1923, Gottlieb settled in Woodstock, New York and in 1931, spent a a year abroad studying under a Guggenheim Fellowship. In 1935, he joined the Federal Art Project...Category
1930s American Modern Figurative Paintings
MaterialsPaper, Gouache
- "Grimacing Giant"By James Joseph KearnsLocated in Southampton, NYMid century charcoal and watercolor drawing with grey wash of a grimacing giant by the American artist, James Joseph Kearns. Titled and dated lower left and signed and dated again l...Category
1950s American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsArchival Paper, Charcoal, Watercolor
- AlongsideBy William ThonLocated in Myrtle Beach, SCWilliam Thon, 'Alongside', watercolor, c. 1990. Signed, lower right; titled verso. A fine, expressionist work, on off-white watercolor paper; the image extending to the sheet edges, ...Category
1950s American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsWatercolor
- Volcano and Arch, Taormina, Sicily, Italy, Mid Century Cleveland School ArtistBy Clarence Holbrook CarterLocated in Beachwood, OHClarence Holbrook Carter (American, 1904-2000) Volcano and Arch, Taormina, 1961 Watercolor on scintilla paper Signed and dated upper right 11 x 11 inches "My last year in art schoo...Category
1960s American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsWatercolor
- Handsome Couple in Sailboat - Collier's Magazine IllustrationBy Earl Oliver HurstLocated in Miami, FLCollier's Magazine Illustration From the Estate of Charles Martignette. Work is framed in a period wood frame Watercolor on boardCategory
1940s American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsBoard, Watercolor