Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a gouache drawing by Ben Shahn. It dates from 1946 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled is a drawing by Ben Shahn, created circa 1946 using gouache or ink on paper. It is a profile portrait of a man, characterized by loose, uneven lines.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a man's face in profile, wearing a suit jacket with three visible buttons. The subject's identity is not specified, and the work's meaning is open to interpretation.
Technique & Style
The drawing is executed in a spontaneous, sketchy style, with quick, loose lines that convey a sense of haste. The use of gouache or ink on paper allows for expressive, gestural mark-making.
History & Provenance
Ben Shahn, born in the Russian Empire in 1898, immigrated to the United States in 1906 and later trained as a lithographer. The work is now held in The Museum of Modern Art's collection.
Artist & collection
Artist
Ben Shahn (September 12, 1898 – March 14, 1969) was an 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. Born…
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