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  2. Ben Shahn papers, 1879-1990, bulk 1933-1970
  3. Series 9: Photographs, circa 1900-1969

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

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Series 9: Photographs, circa 1900-1969
0.86 Linear feet
Boxes 33-35

Photographs are of Shahn and family members, friends and colleagues in addition to photographs taken by Shahn. Found here are prints of photographs Shahn took in New York City in the early 1930s when his interest in photography was developing, as well as prints from some of his finest images taken for the FSA and the Resettlement Administration.
Family photographs include pictures of Judith and Ezra Shahn as children and a young Susanna Shahn. Photos of friends and colleagues include a picture of Shahn and Alexander Calder at the Porta Portese in Rome, circa 1957, and a photo of Shahn with Palma Biccarelli (Director of the Modern Museum in Rome), Louisa Calder and Renato Gattuso, circa 1957. Other friends and colleagues pictured in this series include: Morris Cantor, William Cummings, Jack Eastman, Laura Eastman, Martha Graham, Bartlett Hayes, Helen Hayes, Senator Javits, Harry Knight, Loren Macivor, Joe Ormai (working on the Social Security Building mural, circa 1941), Amadee Ozanfant, Jerome Robbins, Nelson Rockefeller, Nate Saltenstall, Charles Sheeler, David Smith, James Thrall Soby, Monroe Wheeler, and William Zorach. There is also a photo of Shahn at Trianon Press in Paris, France, with M. Crompe Pochoiriete.
Also found are photos of Shahn receiving Honorary Doctorates from Harvard and Princeton Universities and a medal from George Biddle.
Photographs taken by Shahn of New York City in the 1930s include prints of photos used for his paintings Handball (1939) (see Box 34, Folder 6) and Blind Accordion Player (1945) (see Box 34, Folder 10).
FSA photographs taken by Shahn of North Carolina ( box 33, folder 33) are of children musicians used as the source for his painting, Song (1950.)
Photographs taken by others include a mounted print inscribed on the back: "Hello Ben, Dorothea Lange. Made in St. George, Utah, 1956"; a photograph by Walker Evans, circa 1929, and two FSA photos taken by Russell Lee and Arthur Rothstein.
This series has been scanned in entirety, with the exception of photographic negatives.
Description Container Select
Shahn, Family, Friends and Colleagues
Family Photographs, circa 1900, circa 1940-circa 1950s
33
22
Shahn House in Truro, MA, 1955
33
23
Ben and Bernarda Shahn, circa 1950s
33
24
Ben and Bernarda Shahn in Italy, 1956
33
25
Shahn with Friends and Colleagues, circa 1934-circa 1960s
33
26
Shahn with Friends and Colleagues in Italy, circa 1957-1958
33
27
Shahn Receiving Honors and Awards, circa 1960s
33
28
Friends and Colleagues, circa 1946-circa 1965
33
29
Photographs Taken by Shahn
FSA Photos of Alabama, 1937
33
30
FSA Photos of Arkansas, 1935
33
31
FSA Photos of Louisiana, 1935
33
32
FSA Photos of North Carolina, 1937
33
33
FSA Photos of Ohio, 1938
includes contact sheets
33
34
FSA Photos of Ohio, 1938
First photograph in folder is of a bank in Smithland, Kentucky, October 1935.
33
35
FSA Photos of Ohio, 1938
33
36
FSA Photos of Ohio, 1938
33
37
FSA Photos of Tennessee, 1935-circa 1938
Last photograph in folder is of a dry goods store in Smithland Kentucky, October 1935.
33
38
Japan, circa 1960
contact sheet
33
39
Jersey Homesteads, Fourth of July Celebration, circa 1940
33
40
Jersey Homesteads, Nursery School Children, circa 1940
33
41
Jersey Homesteads, Nursery School Children, circa 1940
33
42
Jersey Homesteads, Nursery School Children, circa 1940
33
43
Jersey Homesteads, Nursery School Children, circa 1940
33
44
Jersey Homesteads, Nursery School Children, circa 1940
33
45
New York City, 1932-1936
34
1
New York City, 1932-1936
34
2
New York City, 1932-1936
34
3
New York City, 1932-1936
34
4
New York City, 1932-1936
34
5
New York City, 1932-1936
(includes photo used for Handball)
34
6
New York City, 1932-1936
34
7
New York City, 1932-1936
34
8
New York City, 1932-1936
34
9
New York City, 1932-1936
(includes photo used for Blind Accordion Player)
34
10
New York City, 1932-1936
34
11
New York City, San Gennaro Festival, circa 1950
34
12
Progressive Party Rally (possibly taken by Shahn), circa 1949
34
13
Photographs of Artwork by Shahn
General, undated
34
14
General, undated
34
15
General, undated
34
16
CIO Political Action Committee Publications, 1944
34
17
CIO Political Action Committee Publications, 1944
34
18
CIO Political Action Committee Publications, 1944
34
19
War Information Posters, 1941-1944
34
20
Shahn Exhibition Installations, 1958, 1963
34
21
Photos Taken by Others, circa 1929, 1956
34
22
Photographs of Artwork by Others, circa 1960-1969
34
23
Photographs of Artwork by Others, circa 1960-1969
34
24
Photographs of Artwork by Others, circa 1960-1969
34
25
Photographs of Artwork by Others, War Information Posters, 1941-1944
34
26

Make a Request

  • To request an appointment to view materials, make your selections using the checkboxes and click the "Reading Room" button. Please note, you will receive the full box.
  • To request reproductions, make your selections using the checkboxes and click the "Reproduction" button.