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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Creator: Ben Shahn
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
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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"In Rooms Withdrawn and Quiet" Stone Lithograph by Ben Shahn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"In Rooms Withdrawn and Quiet" stone lithograph from the Rilke portfolio by Ben Shahn, circa late 1960s.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 ...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Mid-Century Modern Antique Ben Shahn
Materials
Wood, Paper
"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 ...
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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ben Shahn
Materials
Paper
Spoleto Festival 1965 Italian Foglio Poster
By Ben Shahn
Located in New York, NY
Original 1965 Italian foglio poster by Ben Shahn for the 1958 festival Spoleto Festival (Festival dei Due Mondi). Very Good condition, rolled with edg...
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1960s Italian Vintage Ben Shahn
Materials
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
Materials
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...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Mid-Century Modern Antique Ben Shahn
Materials
Wood, Paper
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
Materials
Paper
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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.
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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.