Ben Shahn (1898-1969) was an American artist and photographer. He was born in Lithuania and emigrated to the United States with his family in 1906. He studied at New York University and the National Academy of Design before starting his career as a painter and lithographer.
Shahn was known for his social realist style, which focused on the struggles of the working class and marginalized communities. His art often depicted the injustices of poverty, racism, and political oppression. He was also a skilled photographer and documented the social and political upheavals of the 1930s and 1940s, including the Great Depression, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Holocaust.
Shahn's works include murals, posters, and book illustrations. His most famous mural, "The Passion of Sacco and Vanzetti," depicts the trial and execution of two Italian immigrants who were wrongly convicted of murder in the 1920s. He also created the iconic poster for the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO), which was a major labor union in the 1930s and 1940s.
In addition to his artistic career, Shahn was also a passionate advocate for social justice and civil rights. He worked with organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to promote equal rights for all people.
Printed circa 1970s.
Verso is blank.
Measures 12 x 9.