The Church is the Union Hall
American Art
The Church is the Union Hall
Artwork Details
Artist/Maker
Ben Shahn
American, born Lithuania, 1898–1969
American, born Lithuania, 1898–1969
Date
1946
Medium
Tempera on board
Accession #
2003.63
Dimensions
20 x 16 inches
Location
On View - Stent Family Wing, Level 3, Gallery 301
Description
Ben Shahn, a leading Social Realist, received a commission from Fortune magazine in 1946 to illustrate an article on the turbulent social movement to unionize workers in the South. As was his practice, Shahn synthesized many visual sources for the project, from his 1930s photographs to contemporary sketches from his on-site research. This painting resonates with some of the artist’s lifelong concerns, such as class, race, and religion, and was the only image Fortune included as a full-page color reproduction.
Credit
Purchase with funds from Sherri and Jess Crawford, High Museum of Art Enhancement Fund, the American Art Collectors, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Schwob, and Mr. and Mrs. John L. HuberImage Copyright
© Estate of Ben Shahn
Check This Out
-
O Lord Our Father,
O Lord Our Father
-
Love,
Love
-
Organize,
Organize
-
Studies of the artist’s brother and Louis Armstrong,
Studies of the artist’s brother and Louis Armstrong