Friday, December 19, 2014

Ben Shahn at Auction

Christie's 2012



Ben Shahn (1898-1969), 
Hamilton Fish Park


A watercolor and gouache on paper by Ben Shahn (1898-1969) entitled Hamilton Fish Park is also from the Collection of Dr. Mark and Irene Kauffman (estimate: $25,000-35,000).  An artist of varying media, Shahn was extremely productive in Depression-era New York and he often embraced socio-political themes. Hamilton Fish Park, is a quintessential work by Shahn, where the composition is derived from two separate photographs taken by the artist, one from which he painted the three men sitting in the foreground and the other, the background. Compelling examples of social realist art in their own right, both original photographs will be included in the lot.


Also by Ben Shahn is a maquette for Apotheosis (estimate: $30,000-50,000). The mixed media study was executed in 1956, when the New York State Board of Education commissioned Shahn to create a mural for the William E. Grady Vocational School in Brooklyn.  Adhering to his common motifs of religion and socio-political issues, Apotheosis is composed of several vignettes, which depict the fall of man after the destruction caused by war, followed by a phoenix to suggest the rebirth of man though allegories for art, philosophy, astrology and music.  With the finished mural aptly placed in a school, these are all elements imperative to the foundation of education.

Sotheby's 2014


BEN SHAHN
'DESTITUTE FARMER'S WIFE, OZARK MTS., ARK.'


Estimate 6,000 — 9,000
 LOT SOLD. 7,500 



Sotheby's 2012


BEN SHAHN
1898 - 1969
VANDENBERG, DEWEY AND TAFT


Estimate 30,000 — 40,000
 LOT SOLD. 25,000



BEN SHAHN
1898 - 1969
FREEDOM OF THE PRESS [FREEDOM OF PRESS]



Estimate 20,000 — 30,000

LOT SOLD. 68,500 
Christie's 2014




Christies', December 1, 2010


PRISONERS OF WAR
Estimate $20,000 - $30,000 Price Realized $52,500

Christie’s 2009






Christie's 2007





Christie’s 2006


                 
                        BEN SHAHN (1898-1969)
                        LOUIS ARMSTRONG #1
                        PR.$3,360
                         


                        BEN SHAHN (1898-1969)
                        THE SMOKE-FILLED ROOM
                        PR.$1,920


                         
                        BEN SHAHN (1898-1969)
                        LUTE AND MOLECULES
                        PR.$31,200

Christie’s 2004






Christie’s 2003






Christie’s 2002





PR.$26,290

Skinner 2012-2013






Sold for: $570




Sold for:
$1,778




Sold for:


$1,225


Bonhams




Ben Shahn (American, 1898-1969) 
Trio with Huge Audience, 1956 
15 1/2 x 20 1/4in
Sold for US$ 2,750