Ben Shahn
American, 1898-1969
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.(Biography provided by ArtWise)
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MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. I Have A Dream, Black Portrait Head Civil Rights Activist
By Ben Shahn
Located in Union City, NJ
BEN SHAHN - Martin Luther King, Jr. - I Have A Dream is a limited run, plate signed, commemorative lithograph recreated after the wood engraving by Stefan Martin(1936 - 1994), an American wood engraver and illustrator. Printed using traditional lithography methods in 1981 on fine quality, archival Somerset printmaking paper, 100% acid free. Features a striking black and white portrait head portraying the fine wood engraved image of civil rights leader - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. along with text from his famed inspirational, I’ve been to the mountaintop’ speech. Printed signatures of Ben Shahn in dark reddish brown ink and Martin Luther King Jr. in gray ink. (see Photos) Artists copyright text printed...
Category
1980s Contemporary Ben Shahn
Materials
Lithograph
The First Word of Verse Arises from the Rilke Portfolio, lithograph by Ben Shahn
By Ben Shahn
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Ben Shahn, American (1898 - 1969)
Title: The First Word of Verse Arises from the Rilke Portfolio
Year: 1968
Medium: Lithograph on Arches, signed in the plate
Edition: 750
Siz...
Category
1960s Modern Ben Shahn
Materials
Lithograph
Of Light, White Sleeping Women from the Rilke Portfolio, lithograph by Ben Shahn
By Ben Shahn
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Ben Shahn, American (1898 - 1969)
Title: Of Light, White Sleeping Women in Childbed from the Rilke Portfolio
Year: 1968
Medium: Lithograph on Arches, signed in the plate
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Category
1960s Modern Ben Shahn
Materials
Lithograph
To Roads in Unknown Places from the Rilke Portfolio, lithograph by Ben Shahn
By Ben Shahn
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Ben Shahn, American (1898 - 1969)
Title: To Roads in Unknown Places from the Rilke Portfolio
Year: 1968
Medium: Lithograph on Arches, signed in the plate
Edition: 750
Size: 2...
Category
1960s Modern Ben Shahn
Materials
Lithograph
To Parents One Had to Hurt from the Rilke Portfolio, lithograph by Ben Shahn
By Ben Shahn
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Ben Shahn, American (1898 - 1969)
Title: To Parents One Had to Hurt from the Rilke Portfolio
Year: 1968
Medium: Lithograph on Arches, signed in the plate
Edition: 750
Size: 2...
Category
1960s Modern Ben Shahn
Materials
Lithograph
Screams of Women in Labor from the Rilke Portfolio, lithograph by Ben Shahn
By Ben Shahn
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Ben Shahn, American (1898 - 1969)
Title: Screams of Women in Labor from the Rilke Portfolio
Year: 1968
Medium: Lithograph on Arches, signed in the plate
Edition: 750
Size: 22...
Category
1960s Modern Ben Shahn
Materials
Lithograph
Frontispiece from the Rilke Portfolio, Minimalist lithograph by Ben Shahn
By Ben Shahn
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Ben Shahn, American (1898 - 1969)
Title: Frontispiece (Portrait) from the Rilke Portfolio
Year: 1968
Medium: Lithograph on Arches, signed in the plate
Edition: 750
Size: 22.5...
Category
1960s Modern Ben Shahn
Materials
Lithograph
Unexpected Meetings from the Rilke Portfolio, Minimalist Lithograph by Ben Shahn
By Ben Shahn
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Ben Shahn, American (1898 - 1969)
Title: Unexpected Meetings from the Rilke Portfolio
Year: 1968
Medium: Lithograph on Arches, signed in the plate
Edition: 750
Size: 22.5 x 1...
Category
1960s Modern Ben Shahn
Materials
Lithograph
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Find a wide variety of authentic Ben Shahn art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Ben Shahn in lithograph, screen print, silver gelatin print and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the modern style. Not every interior allows for large Ben Shahn art, so small editions measuring 8 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Chaim Gross, André Minaux, and Renato Guttuso. Ben Shahn art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $100 and tops out at $40,000, while the average work can sell for $750.
Questions About Ben Shahn
- What style of art is Ben Shahn?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 7, 2024The style of art of Ben Shahn is social realism. Artists working in this movement sought to highlight social issues by depicting scenes that showed the struggles of modern-day life. For example, Shahn produced four paintings and more than 100 drawings inspired by a 1947 mining accident that killed 111 people in Centralia, Illinois. Arguably the most famous of these works is Miner's Wives, which shows the widows of the miners in mourning. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of Ben Shahn art.