Birds over the City

1968

Ben Shahn

Associated Names
Ben Shahn

Artist, American, 1898 - 1969

This abstract composition features bold, dark lines creating the suggestion of a face superimposed over soft, sweeping brush strokes and shapes that form bird-like figures in flight. The varying shades of grey and blue around the abstract face give the impression of wings and feathers. Below, a series of structured black lines and arcs resemble an architectural facade, with colored rectangles that might be seen as windows.
This object’s media is not available for download. Contact us about image usage.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    color lithograph on Arches wove paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Joseph P. DiGangi

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 73.7 x 54.9 cm (29 x 21 5/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2008.97.4

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Prescott 1973, 78

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Joseph P. DiGangi, Arlington, VA; gift to NGA, 2008

Associated Names

Bibliography

1973

  • Prescott, Kenneth W. The Complete Graphic Works of Ben Shahn. New York: Quadrangle/New York Times Book Co., 1973, no. 78.

Inscriptions

lower left in graphite: 81/135; lower right in brush and red ink: Ben Shahn; upper left verso in graphite by unknown hand: 144400

Wikidata ID

Q76439207

You may be interested in

Loading Results