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Ben Shahn Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

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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Artist: Ben Shahn
Untitled Pen Drawing on Paper, Contemporary, Signed, 1950s, Unframed

Untitled Pen Drawing on Paper, Contemporary, Signed, 1950s, Unframed

By Ben Shahn

Located in Roma, IT

Untitled is an drawing realized by Ben Shahn (Kovno 1898-New York 1969) Pen drawing on paper applied on canvas. Hand-signed lower right: Ben Shahn. Some light folds and discoloring...

Category

1950s Contemporary Ben Shahn Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Mixed Media, Canvas

Untitled (Double sided watercolor)  Recto: Figures seated at a table
Untitled (Double sided watercolor)  Recto: Figures seated at a table

Untitled (Double sided watercolor) Recto: Figures seated at a table

By Ben Shahn

Located in Fairlawn, OH

Watercolor on paper Most probably related to the artist's creation of images surrounding Haggadah (Passover) which he started in 1930 and finished with the publication of his book in...

Category

1960s American Modern Ben Shahn Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

Nurse and Patient, Original Drawing by Ben Shahn
Nurse and Patient, Original Drawing by Ben Shahn

Nurse and Patient, Original Drawing by Ben Shahn

By Ben Shahn

Located in Long Island City, NY

Artist: Ben Shahn, American (1898 - 1969) Title: Nurse Medium: Pencil on Paper, signed l.r. Image Size: 7 x 5 inches Frame Size: 15 x 13 inches

Category

Mid-20th Century Expressionist Ben Shahn Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Graphite

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Previously Available Items
"Susannah and the Elders" Ben Shahn, Social Realist, Biblical Scene, Mid-Century
"Susannah and the Elders" Ben Shahn, Social Realist, Biblical Scene, Mid-Century

"Susannah and the Elders" Ben Shahn, Social Realist, Biblical Scene, Mid-Century

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Ben Shahn Susannah and the Elders, 1947 Signed lower right Watercolor and ink on paper 22 x 29 3/4 inches Provenance The artist The Downtown Gallery, New York Felix Landau Gallery, ...

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1940s Realist Ben Shahn Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

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Sitting Man

Ben ShahnSitting Man

Sold

H 19 in W 10.5 in

Sitting Man

By Ben Shahn

Located in New York, NY

This work is offered by CLAMP in New York City. Signed by Jonathan Shahn

Category

20th Century Contemporary Ben Shahn Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

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Ink, Vellum

"Kuboyama" Saga of the Lucky Dragon He died from H-bomb testing at Bikini Island
"Kuboyama" Saga of the Lucky Dragon He died from H-bomb testing at Bikini Island

"Kuboyama" Saga of the Lucky Dragon He died from H-bomb testing at Bikini Island

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Located in Miami, FL

In a sense, this work represents the 3rd nuclear attack on the Japanese. Shahn was deeply committed to social issues throughout his life. As a social commentator and artist Ben Shahn depicts Aikichi Kuboyama in a powerful black and white study. Kuboyama was a crew member on a Japanese fishing vessel who died of radiation poisoning following the 1954 H-Bomb test on Bikini Atoll. Along with his crew of 22 , they inadvertently wandered into the above-ground nuclear weapon test zone and got covered in the white dust "Kuboyama" from Lucky Dragon...

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1960s American Realist Ben Shahn Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

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"To Childhood Illnesses from the Rilke Portfolio" Resting Figure Lithograph
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"To Childhood Illnesses from the Rilke Portfolio" Resting Figure Lithograph

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Resting figure of a curly-headed child under blankets in peach and grey tones. The work is done in gouache and ink. It is framed in a gold frame with an off white matte. It is signed...

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Freud

Ben ShahnFreud, 1956

Sold

H 28.25 in W 22.25 in

Freud

By Ben Shahn

Located in Fairlawn, OH

Signed in ink lower right: Ben Shahn Note: This drawing is the preliminary composition for Ben Shahn’s important commission by Time Magazine for the cover illustration of their Apri...

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1950s Ben Shahn Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

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Ben Shahn drawings and watercolor paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Ben Shahn drawings and watercolor paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Ben Shahn in graphite, ink, paint 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 drawings and watercolor paintings, so small editions measuring 11 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Jack Hooper, Béla Czóbel, and Virginia Dehn. Ben Shahn drawings and watercolor paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,500 and tops out at $3,500, while the average work can sell for $3,250.
Questions About Ben Shahn Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
  • 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.