Ben Shahn

large-format, ferrotyped, credit in pencil and with FSA and credit stamps on the reverse, 1935 (Ben Shahn, Photographer, cover and pl. 45)

Christie's New York, 17 October 2007, Sale 2076, Lot 23

This early ferrotyped print, on double-weight paper, is in overall very good condition. As is typical of the ferrotyping process, a slight unevenness of the generally glossy surface and minor pitting are visible in raking light. Upon close examination, faint fingerprints, linear scratches and handling creases are also visible, some of which appear to break the emulsion and have adjacent minor emulsion loss. There is an area of ink transference at the lower right edge of the image and margin. There is a small tear at the upper right margin edge extending approximately 1/2-inch into the image. The margin corners are bumped and chipped. On the reverse are 3 small hinge remnants along the upper edge. There is scattered soiling on the reverse and the perimeter is appropriately age-darkened. The following is written in an unidentified hand in pencil: 'F. S. A. photo by Ben Shahn,' '6034 M2,' and '4 3/4,' and 'right.' '62 lower left' is written in red pencil. When examined under ultraviolet light, this print does not appear to fluoresce.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

From 1935 to 1938, Ben Shahn worked for the Farm Security Adminstration, photographing the widespread destitution caused by the Great Depression. He traveled the American South documenting what President Franklin D. Roosevelt referred to in his second inaugural address as '. . . one-third of a nation ill-housed, ill-clad, ill-nourished.'

Large-format prints of this image are rare; this is the only print of this size to appear at auction in recent years.  In 1969, Bernarda Shahn, the photographer's widow, donated a group of photographs by Ben Shahn to the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard, including three large-format prints of this image.  There is also a smaller print in the collection of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.