Ben Shahn papers, 1879-1990, bulk 1933-1970

This series contains addresses, calendars, and lists of artwork, many of which are annotated with prices, in addition to miscellaneous notes written by and to Shahn which include scattered sketches and doodles. The bulk of the series consists of drafts and transcripts of lectures and statements given by Shahn over the course of his career. The writings found here include material used in some of Shahn's most well-known lectures such as those he gave as Charles Eliot Norton Professor of Poetry at Harvard University from 1956-1957 (collected and published by Harvard University Press as The Shape of Content in 1957), on subjects such as artists in colleges, the biography of a painting, nonconformity, and the education of an artist.

Series includes a biographical account by William Snow, who knew Shahn from boyhood, that sheds light on Shahn's youth and family including his marriage to Tillie Goldstein and his relationships with his siblings and mother, and an account by Lou Block of his and Shahn's experiences working with Diego Rivera on Rivera's Rockefeller Center fresco.

Writings found here, primarily in the form of transcripts, are on subjects of interest to Shahn many of which were presumably used as source material for his artwork, sparked his interest in a particular commission such as those by John Barlow Martin, or were given to him as possible commissions for illustrations.

See Appendix for a list of writings from Series 5.3.