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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.
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Creator: Ben Shahn
"January 18 to February 12" Exhibition Poster of Jester on Horse by Ben Shahn
"January 18 to February 12" Exhibition Poster of Jester on Horse by 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...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ben Shahn

Materials

Paper

"In Rooms Withdrawn and Quiet" Stone Lithograph by Ben Shahn
"In Rooms Withdrawn and Quiet" Stone Lithograph by Ben Shahn

"In Rooms Withdrawn and Quiet" Stone Lithograph by Ben Shahn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"In Rooms Withdrawn and Quiet" stone lithograph from the Rilke portfolio by Ben Shahn, circa late 1960s.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 ...

Category

Mid-19th Century American Mid-Century Modern Antique Ben Shahn

Materials

Wood, Paper

Ben Shahn "Deserted Fairground" Rare 1948 Screenprint
Ben Shahn "Deserted Fairground" Rare 1948 Screenprint

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.

Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ben Shahn

Materials

Paper

1958 Ben Shahn Lute and Molecule No. 2 Framed Screenprint
1958 Ben Shahn Lute and Molecule No. 2 Framed Screenprint

1958 Ben Shahn Lute and Molecule No. 2 Framed Screenprint

By Ben Shahn

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is a Limited-Edition Screen Print, entitled "Lute and Molecule No. 2", executed in 1958 by Lithuanian artist Ben Shahn in the USA. It depicts a molecule-like shaped structure ac...

Category

1950s American Modern Vintage Ben Shahn

Materials

Steel

Ben Shahn, Love and Joy About Letters, 1963 1st Edition, Grossman Publishers
Ben Shahn, Love and Joy About Letters, 1963 1st Edition, Grossman Publishers

Ben Shahn, Love and Joy About Letters, 1963 1st Edition, Grossman Publishers

By Ben Shahn

Located in New York, NY

Ben Shahn, Love and Joy About Letters, 1963 1st Edition, Grossman Publishers. Love and Joy About Letters is a testament to Ben Shahn’s love affair with letters: the beauty of the let...

Category

20th Century American Ben Shahn

Materials

Paper

"Many Men" Stone Lithograph by Ben Shahn
"Many Men" Stone Lithograph by Ben Shahn

"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...

Category

Mid-19th Century American Mid-Century Modern Antique Ben Shahn

Materials

Paper, Wood

"November 26, 1963" JFK Limited Edition Book Signed by Ben Shahn & W. Berry
"November 26, 1963" JFK Limited Edition Book Signed by Ben Shahn & W. Berry

"November 26, 1963" JFK Limited Edition Book Signed by Ben Shahn & W. Berry

By Ben Shahn

Located in San Diego, CA

"November Twenty Six Nineteen Hundred Sixty Three / November 26, 1963" John F. Kennedy book with sleeve signed by artist, Ben Shahn and poet, Wendell Berry, circa 1964. This limited ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ben Shahn

Materials

Paper

Vintage "Three Generations" Lithograph by Abraham Rattner
Vintage "Three Generations" Lithograph by Abraham Rattner

Vintage "Three Generations" Lithograph by Abraham Rattner

By Ben Shahn

Located in San Diego, CA

Vintage "Three Generations" lithograph by Abraham Rattner, circa 1975. It is presented in a silver chrome metal frame with a cream mat and signed and numbered 39 out of an edition of...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ben Shahn

Materials

Wood, Paper

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Previously Available Items
Ben Shahn Exhibition Poster
Ben Shahn Exhibition Poster

Ben Shahn Exhibition Poster

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H 32 in W 24.5 in D 1.5 in

Ben Shahn Exhibition Poster

By Ben Shahn

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Ben Shahn Jester Exhibition Poster from the 1960's. Framed in possibly an original frame from the period.

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Ben Shahn To Days of Childhood That are Still Unexplained Signed Lithograph 1968
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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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Located in Keego Harbor, MI

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Ben Shahn - Love And Joy About Letters - Grossman - 1963 - 1st Edition
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Located in Rochester, NY

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Ben Shahn To Days of Childhood That are Still Unexplained Signed Lithograph 1968

Ben Shahn To Days of Childhood That are Still Unexplained Signed Lithograph 1968

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Located in Keego Harbor, MI

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"Great Ideas of Western Man" Lithograph / Poster by Ben Shahn
"Great Ideas of Western Man" Lithograph / Poster by Ben Shahn

"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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Ben Shahn Despair 1968 Signed Modern Figurative Lithograph Framed
Ben Shahn Despair 1968 Signed Modern Figurative Lithograph Framed

Ben Shahn Despair 1968 Signed Modern Figurative Lithograph Framed

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Located in Keego Harbor, MI

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Striking Poster by Renowned Artist Ben Shahn

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H 33.5 in W 28.75 in L 33.5 in

Striking Poster by Renowned Artist Ben Shahn

By Ben Shahn

Located in Hopewell, NJ

A whimsical contemporary poster of a painter, probably a self portrait, by the renowned artist Ben Shahn.

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Ben Shahn McCarthy Peace, 1968
Ben Shahn McCarthy Peace, 1968

Ben Shahn McCarthy Peace, 1968

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H 38 in W 25 in D 0.01 in

Ben Shahn McCarthy Peace, 1968

By Ben Shahn

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Ben Shahn McCarthy Peace poster, 1968. When Eugene McCarthy ran for U.S. president in 1968 against incumbent Lyndon Johnson, his candidacy was based o...

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Ben Shahn McCarthy Peace, 1968
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Ben Shahn McCarthy Peace, 1968

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H 38 in W 25 in D 0.01 in

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By Ben Shahn

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Ben Shahn McCarthy Peace poster, 1968. When Eugene McCarthy ran for U.S. president in 1968 against incumbent Lyndon Johnson, his candidacy was based o...

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Ben Shahn furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Ben Shahn furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Larry Rivers, Steve Schapiro, and Steve Kaufman.
Questions About Ben Shahn
  • 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.