PORTRAIT OF AN ARTIST AS AN AMERICAN

by Selden Rodman ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

A sympathetic, intelligent and detailed biography of one of America's best known, and most criticized (Largely on the grounds of his radicalism) artists, Ben Shahn. Born in Lithuania, brought up in Brooklyn from the age of eight, apprenticed at thirteen to an uncle- a lithographer, Bhahn became admittedly a radical artist, not only in his modern techniques but also in his subject matter. His paintings, mostly proletarian, have included portraits of Sacco Vansetti; Mooney, humble workers, children of the city slums, and his work- always propagandist to a certain degree- is also humanitarian, universal. Widely known for his posters, his frescoes on public buildings during the New Deal era, he has had several one man shows at the Museum of Modern Art. This book, by the post Selden Rodman, warmly and ably presents Bhahn's humorous, fearless, powerful personality, describes his work- and the illustrations are plentiful, and interweaves biographical details....Shahn has a large and enthusiastic following who should be pleased with this admiring presentation, and it is good reading for all interested in the main intellectual contributions to our times since Shahn's work is an expression of some of the main currents of American thought during the past three decades.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Harper

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1951

Categories: NONFICTION