Ben Shahn Black and White Photography
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.2
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Artist: Ben Shahn
Sideshow, county fair, central Ohio
By Ben Shahn
Located in New York, NY
Sideshow, county fair, central Ohio
1938/printed later
Stamped “Reproduced for the Library of Congress,” verso
Gelatin silver print
8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm)
Category
1930s Contemporary Ben Shahn Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Price Upon Request
Sideshow, county fair, central Ohio
By Ben Shahn
Located in New York, NY
Sideshow, county fair, central Ohio
1938
Stamped, “Reproduced for the Library of Congress,” verso
Gelatin silver print
8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm)
C...
Category
1930s Ben Shahn Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Price Upon Request
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Ben Shahn black and white photography for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Ben Shahn black and white photography available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Ben Shahn in silver gelatin print and more. Not every interior allows for large Ben Shahn black and white photography, so small editions measuring 10 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Clarence Sinclair Bull, Barbara Morgan, and Berenice Abbott.
Artists Similar to Ben Shahn
Questions About Ben Shahn Black and White Photography
- 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.