Branches of Water or Desire

1965

Ben Shahn

Associated Names
Ben Shahn

Artist, American, born Russia (now Lithuania), 1898 - 1969

The image shows a composition of complex lines and shapes forming an abstract drawing. In the center, there is a bird-like figure with textured patterns resembling scales covering its body. Its wings and tail fan out with elegant curves. Next to the bird, jagged star-like shapes spread out, suggesting thorny foliage or a tangled bush. Below the bird, two boxy shapes with facial expressions could be seen as abstract representations of human faces. The lower section is filled with swirling, interwoven curves resembling sea waves or a densely grown field. The lines in the image convey an abstract impression of a creature amidst a thicket.
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Artwork overview

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Downtown Gallery, New York); Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, 1966; acquired 2015 by the National Gallery of Art

Associated Names

Bibliography

1973

  • Prescott, Kenneth W. The Complete Graphic Works of Ben Shahn. New York: Quadrangle/New York Times Book Co., 1973, p. 58, no. 56.

Inscriptions

lower right in red ink: Ben Shahn

Markings

stamped center right in orange: [unknown symbol]

Wikidata ID

Q77012529

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