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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
"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

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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1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ben Shahn

Materials

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"In Rooms Withdrawn and Quiet" Stone Lithograph by Ben Shahn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"In Rooms Withdrawn and Quiet" stone lithograph from the Rilke portfolio by Ben Shahn, circa late 1960s.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 ...
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Mid-19th Century American Mid-Century Modern Antique Ben Shahn

Materials

Wood, Paper

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

Materials

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

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

Materials

Paper, Wood

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

Materials

Paper

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

Materials

Wood, Paper

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Previously Available Items
Ben Shahn Birds Over the City 1968 Modern Lithograph on Paper Framed
By Ben Shahn
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
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Ben Shahn - Love And Joy About Letters - Grossman - 1963 - 1st Edition
By Ben Shahn
Located in Rochester, NY
Ben Shahn - Love and Joy About Letters - Grossman Publishers, New York - 1963 - 1st Edition. A testament to Ben Shans' love of letters. A beautifully illustrated hardcover book w/ th...
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Ben Shahn To Days of Childhood That are Still Unexplained Signed Lithograph 1968
By Ben Shahn
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"Great Ideas of Western Man" Lithograph / Poster by Ben Shahn
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Ben Shahn Despair 1968 Signed Modern Figurative Lithograph Framed
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Ben Shahn Lithograph Print. "And Partings One Had Long Seen Coming" Two Figures
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Located in Manhasset, NY
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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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1990s North American Modern Ben Shahn

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Striking Poster by Renowned Artist Ben Shahn
Striking Poster by Renowned Artist Ben Shahn
H 33.5 in W 28.75 in L 33.5 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
Ben Shahn McCarthy Peace, 1968
H 38 in W 25 in D 0.01 in
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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
H 38 in W 25 in D 0.01 in
"Many Cities" Lithograph by Ben Shahn
By Ben Shahn
Located in Winnetka, IL
This is an original lithograph signed in lower right hand corner by Ben Shahn 601/950 Ben Shahn was born in Russia but moved to America where he was known for his Art, lithography a...
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"Many Cities" Lithograph by Ben Shahn
"Many Cities" Lithograph by Ben Shahn
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Ben Shahn, His Graphic Art, First Edition
By Ben Shahn
Located in valatie, NY
Ben Shahn, His Graphic Art. New York: George Braziller, Inc., 1957. First edition hardcover with dust jacket. A book on the graphic art of Ben Shahn (1898-...
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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.

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