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Ben Shahn Prints

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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Creator: Ben Shahn
"January 18 to February 12" Exhibition Poster of Jester on Horse by Ben Shahn
By Ben Shahn
Located in San Diego, CA
"January 18 to February 12" exhibition poster of jester on horse by Ben Shahn, circa 1960s. The poster is in good vintage condition and measures 20" x 28"; it is presented in a vint...
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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ben Shahn Prints

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Paper

Ben Shahn To Days of Childhood That are Still Unexplained Signed Lithograph 1968
By Ben Shahn
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
An intriguing and sentimental lithograph titled To Days of Childhood That are Still Unexplained by Ben Shahn. From the Rainier Maria Rilke portfolio, For the Sake of a Single Verse, ...
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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ben Shahn Prints

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Paper

"In Rooms Withdrawn and Quiet" Stone Lithograph by Ben Shahn
By Ben Shahn
Located in San Diego, CA
"In Rooms Withdrawn and Quiet" stone lithograph from the Rilke portfolio by Ben Shahn, circa late 1960s. It is presented silver painted wood frame with cream and signed in the stone ...
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Mid-19th Century American Mid-Century Modern Antique Ben Shahn Prints

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Wood, Paper

Coveted Ben Shahn Limited Edition Portfolio #234 with 24 Lithographs R. M. Rilke
By Ben Shahn
Located in West Hartford, CT
Coveted portfolio containing 24 original lithographs by Ben Shahn in one of an edition of 950 with the one being numbered 234, see pics. Signed by the artist at front as shown in pics attached. Copyright 1968. Portfolio is complete with nothing missing and still in very good condition - see pics. Accompanied by the poet Ranier Maria Rilke - see pics. Ben Shahn (American, September 12, 1898 - March 14, 1969) was a painter, lithographer, and photographer best known for his left-wing political leanings, works of social realism, and The Shape of Content, a publication of his lectures. Shahn was born in Kovno, Lithuania, when the country was still occupied by the Russian Empire. In 1902, Shahn's father, Joshua Hessel, was exiled to Siberia. Shahn then moved to Vilkomir, Lithuania, with his mother, Gittel, and his two siblings. Their family moved to the United States in 1906 to join their father who had fled from exile. After settling in Brooklyn, NY, Shahn began to train in lithography and graphic design, and his favorite medium was egg tempera. In 1919, Shahn enrolled in New York University to study Biology before entering the City College in 1921 to study Art. He also studied Art at the National Academy of Design. In the 1920s, Shahn and his wife traveled around Africa and Europe to study the works of renowned artists such as Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881- 1973) and Raoul Dufy (French, 1877-1953). In 1933, Shahn worked as an assistant of Diego Rivera (Mexican, 1886 - 1957); at this time, Rivera was working on the mural at the Rockefeller Center in New York. Two years later, Shahn was recommended by Walker Evans (American, 1903 - 1975) to join the Farm Security Administration photographic group. One of the artist’s most famous works is the fresco mural he did for the Jersey Homesteads' community center. Shahn also worked on murals for the state on the Federal Security Building and the Bronx Central Annex Post Office. During the Second World War, Shahn made a series of paintings laced...
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Mid-20th Century American Ben Shahn Prints

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Paper

"Many Men" Stone Lithograph by Ben Shahn
By Ben Shahn
Located in San Diego, CA
Limited edition lithograph entitled "Many Men" by Ben Shahn, circa late 1960s. "Many Men" depicts modernist black silhouette figures in business suits on a teeming street. Released b...
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Mid-19th Century American Mid-Century Modern Antique Ben Shahn Prints

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Paper, Wood

Ben Shahn "Deserted Fairground" Rare 1948 Screenprint
By Ben Shahn
Located in Sharon, CT
Privately printed and distributed by the artist. Signed in the matrix. Unframed.
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1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ben Shahn Prints

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Paper

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Previously Available Items
Ben Shahn Birds Over the City 1968 Modern Lithograph on Paper Framed
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Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A contemplative lithograph on paper titled "Birds Over the City" by beloved American artist Ben Shahn. Printed in 1968. Signed in the plate on the bottom right. Ben Shahn protested s...
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Ben Shahn To Days of Childhood That are Still Unexplained Signed Lithograph 1968
By Ben Shahn
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
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1960s Vintage Ben Shahn Prints

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Paper

"Great Ideas of Western Man" Lithograph / Poster by Ben Shahn
By Ben Shahn
Located in San Diego, CA
A very hard to find "Great Ideas of Western Man" Lithograph / Poster by Ben Shahn, circa 1968. The piece depicts the social realism of a man with the capti...
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Mid-19th Century American Mid-Century Modern Antique Ben Shahn Prints

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Ben Shahn Despair 1968 Signed Modern Figurative Lithograph Framed
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"Many Cities" Lithograph by Ben Shahn
"Many Cities" Lithograph by Ben Shahn
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Ben Shahn prints for sale on 1stDibs.

Ben Shahn prints are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of paper and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Ben Shahn prints, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original prints by Ben Shahn were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider prints by Schumacher, Omar Rayo, and Robert Indiana. Prices for Ben Shahn prints can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $675 and can go as high as $16,645, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,750.
Questions About Ben Shahn Prints
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 7, 2024
    The 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.

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