Ben Shahn: An Artist's Life

by Howard Greenfeld

   Beginning in the thirties, he created bold and powerful paintings of often controversial subjects, and in particular his portraits of Sacco and Vanzetti caused a storm whenever they were exhibited. After working as an assistant to Diego Rivera on the ill-fated Rockefeller Center mural, he began creating his own arresting murals--in Washington, New York, and New Jersey--which are among the finest such works ever painted in this country. He also excelled as a photographer as one of the distinguished group known as the FSA photographers, which included Dorothea Lange and his close friend Walker Evans. His life  crossed the paths of many others, too, including Albert Einstein, Alexander Calder, William Carlos Williams, Archibald MacLeish, and S. J. Perelman.

During World War II, he produced some of the most striking and effective propaganda posters, before returning again to painting, always choosing subjects that touched a nerve and were just as often politically powerful.
  
Shahn also entered the world of advertising, but completely on his own terms, and was respected for it. His life was always involved directly with his times, and he was a member of the intellectual community throughout his career, as well as a courageous political activist. His unique, unforgettable work won him shows in museums all over America, including the Museum of Modern  Art.
  
Ben Shahn is the first complete life of the artist, and it is illustrated throughout with his photographs, pictures, and paintings.

Genres: Art

366 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Leora Wenger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took this book out of the library because I wanted to learn about one of Ben Shahn's painting (The Red Stairway), and I easily read it cover to cover. I really enjoyed learning about his life. It doesn't seem like he was the nicest of people (he abandoned his first wife and two kids, although did have a bit of a relationship with his kids later in his life). He often seemed narcissistic, which made me wonder if successful people too often fall into that category. I find his art fascinating. Regarding a story from his childhood, either the author of the book or Ben Shahn got the facts of a Bible story wrong where he talks about the Ark of Covenant - it is from Samuel I, and the Temple was not yet built. Still researching the details of that story. It is clear that many rabbis of the early 20th century had a terrible time teaching smart children, who had the opportunity to be exposed to all sorts of ideas. Another detailed comment: the author refers to Ben's father as a misnagid, and he calls being a misnagid a sect. As a descendant of mitnagdim, I don't think they "believe" they shouldn't exhibit pride or joy. They just don't do a lot of displaying of emotions in general. Yes, it was clear he was proud of his son. But maybe he also didn't feel comfortable with that woman.

[Karen Adkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find Ben Shahn's art really compelling, and wanted to learn more about his life. This book fits the bill, and is strongest when Greenfeld talks about Shahn's artistic process (I had no idea photography was as important to Shahn's work as it was, and his relationship and learning from muralists like Diego Rivera was really interesting). The writing is pretty dull, and because Greenfeld has a strong relationship with Shahn, he minimizes some of the more repellant sides of Shahn's personality (most notably, his almost total abandonment of his first wife and their kids).

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well organized and even-handed, though the writing is a bit dry. Greenfield doesn't do much editorializing or make many attempts at supplying reasons for Shahn's irresponsible personal behavior. He drives home the important points about Shahn as an artist, i.e., his tireless dedication to creative output in a variety of media, his insistence on treating all art -- both fine and commercial -- with the same attention to craftsmanship and communication, and his passion for illustrating the ills of injustice.