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.

Average Sold Price

$975

Styles

Materials

Related Artists

Ben ShahnFrontispiece from the Rilke Portfolio, Minimalist lithograph by Ben Shahn, 1968

$550

H 22.5 in W 17.75 in

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

Ben ShahnUntitled Pen Drawing on Paper, Contemporary, Signed, 1950s, Unframed, 1950s

$7,934

H 30.71 in W 26.97 in D 0.12 in

Untitled Pen Drawing on Paper, Contemporary, Signed, 1950s, Unframed

By Ben Shahn

Located in Roma, IT

Untitled is an drawing realized by Ben Shahn (Kovno 1898-New York 1969) Pen drawing on paper applied on canvas. Hand-signed lower right: Ben Shahn. Some light folds and discoloring...

Category

1950s Contemporary Ben Shahn

Materials

Paper, Mixed Media, Canvas

Ben Shahnoriginal lithograph, 1955

$200

H 12.01 in W 8.67 in

original lithograph

By Ben Shahn

Located in Henderson, NV

Medium: original lithograph. This lithograph was printed in 1955 for the "Improvisations" portfolio, and published by the Artists Equity Association of New York in an edition of 2000...

Category

1950s Ben Shahn

Materials

Lithograph

Ben ShahnThe Sea Itself from the Rilke Portfolio, Minimalist Lithograph by Ben Shahn, 1968

$750

H 22.5 in W 17.75 in

The Sea Itself 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: The Sea Itself from the Rilke Portfolio Year: 1968 Medium: Lithograph on Arches, signed in the plate Edition: 750 Size: 22.5 x 17.75 ...

Category

1960s Modern Ben Shahn

Materials

Lithograph

Ben ShahnIMMIGRANT FAMILY, 1941

$7,200

H 23 in W 28 in D 1 in

IMMIGRANT FAMILY

By Ben Shahn

Located in Portland, ME

Shahn, Ben. IMMIGRANT FAMILY. Serigraph, 1941. Prescott 2. Edition size unknown; Prescott knew of only 3. This copy unsigned. 11 1/2 x 18 inches (image), 19 1/4 x 25 1/4 (sheet), framed to 23 x 28 1/4 inches. This was only the second print made by Shahn, and the first serigraph, a medium in which he continued to use for his prints throughout his career. Provenance: Kennedy Galleries, with its label, George Krevsky Gallery...

Category

1940s Ben Shahn

Materials

Screen

Ben ShahnMany Cities from the Rilke Portfolio, Modern Art Framed Lithograph by Ben Shahn, 1968

$750

H 25.5 in W 23 in

Many Cities from the Rilke Portfolio, Modern Art Framed Lithograph by Ben Shahn

By Ben Shahn

Located in Long Island City, NY

Artist: Ben Shahn, American (1898 - 1969) Title: Many Cities from the Rilke Portfolio Year: 1968 Medium: Lithograph on Richard de Bas, signed in the plate Edition: 750 Size: 22.5 x ...

Category

1960s Modern Ben Shahn

Materials

Lithograph

Ben Shahnoriginal lithograph, 1958

$150

H 12.01 in W 8.23 in

original lithograph

By Ben Shahn

Located in Henderson, NV

Medium: original lithograph. This lithograph was printed in 1958 for the "Improvisations" portfolio, published by the Artists Equity Association of New York on the occasion of the 19...

Category

1950s Ben Shahn

Materials

Lithograph

Ben ShahnBen Shahn, Silkscreen with Old Testament Psalm 57 Signed/N + provenance letter, 1967

$5,750

H 23.5 in W 23.5 in

Ben Shahn, Silkscreen with Old Testament Psalm 57 Signed/N + provenance letter

By Ben Shahn

Located in New York, NY

Ben Shahn Silkscreen inspired by Old Testament Psalm 57, 1967 Silkscreen on Japon paper Hand signed and numbered 255/300 by the artist on the front, with a copy of the provenance let...

Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Ben Shahn

Materials

Pencil, Screen

Browse all Art from Ben Shahn

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Ben Shahn Sale Prices

Sold Date

Sold Price

Category

Medium

Creation Year

2026	$645	Animal Prints	Lithograph	1968
2025	$72	Prints and Multiples	Offset Print
2025	$3,600	More Prints	Lithograph	1965
2025	$1,200	Figurative Prints	Lithograph	1965
2025	$360	Figurative Prints, Portrait Prints	Lithograph	1981
2025	$350	Posters	Paper	1963
2025	$600	Still-life Prints, Figurative Prints	Lithograph	1968

$975

Average sold price of items in the past 12 months

$72-$3,600

Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

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Ben Shahn art for sale on 1stDibs.

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 Answer
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.