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Ben Shahn Art

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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Artist: Ben Shahn
Dealer: The Munn Collection
To Childhood Illnesses from the Rilke Portfolio
By Ben Shahn
Located in Mount Vernon, NY
The Rilke Portfolio by Ben Shahn contained 24 prints from the Atelier Mourlot in New York. The Munn Collection offers 7 unframed lithographs from the o...
Category

1960s American Realist Ben Shahn Art

Materials

Lithograph

Many Cities from the Rilke Portfolio
By Ben Shahn
Located in Mount Vernon, NY
The Rilke Portfolio by Ben Shahn contained 24 prints from the Atelier Mourlot in New York. The Munn Collection offers 7 unframed lithographs from the o...
Category

1960s American Realist Ben Shahn Art

Materials

Lithograph

Screams of Woman in Labor
By Ben Shahn
Located in Mount Vernon, NY
The Rilke Portfolio by Ben Shahn contained 24 prints from the Atelier Mourlot in New York. The Munn Collection offers 7 unframed lithographs from the o...
Category

1960s American Realist Ben Shahn Art

Materials

Lithograph

Partings Long Seen Coming from the Rilke Portfolio
By Ben Shahn
Located in Mount Vernon, NY
The Rilke Portfolio by Ben Shahn contained 24 prints from the Atelier Mourlot in New York. The Munn Collection offers 7 unframed lithographs from the o...
Category

1960s American Realist Ben Shahn Art

Materials

Lithograph

Of Light, White Sleeping Women in Childbed from the Rilke Portfolio
By Ben Shahn
Located in Mount Vernon, NY
The Rilke Portfolio by Ben Shahn contained 24 prints from the Atelier Mourlot in New York. The Munn Collection offers 7 unframed lithographs from the o...
Category

1960s American Realist Ben Shahn Art

Materials

Lithograph

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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 Art
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Miner's Wives is a Social realist painting, a piece of art intended to make a statement about society by depicting everyday people. Ben Shahn produced the work in tempera on a panel in 1948. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Ben Shahn art.
  • 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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