Self-Portrait Among Church Goers by Ben Shahn

Self-Portrait Among Church Goers - Ben Shahn -

Artwork Information

TitleSelf-Portrait Among Church Goers
ArtistBen Shahn
Mediumwatercolor,paper
Art MovementSocial Realism
Current LocationPrivate Collection

About Self-Portrait Among Church Goers

The artwork titled “Self-Portrait Among Church Goers” is a watercolor on paper creation by artist Ben Shahn, who is associated with the Social Realism art movement. This piece is a genre painting, representing a scene from everyday life and highlighting the social context of the era. The piece is part of a private collection and reflects Shahn’s characteristic style of depicting human figures and social themes.

In “Self-Portrait Among Church Goers,” we observe a depiction of church attendees exiting a building that is adorned with a large, stained glass window and a brick facade. The time of day appears to be either early morning or late afternoon, as suggested by the soft, muted tones of the sky indicating either dawn or dusk. The people are dressed in what appears to be Sunday attire, with men in suits and women in dresses and hats typical of early to mid-20th century fashion. The group is focused inward, with their attention towards each other or their personal items, except for one figure on the far left who seems to be taking a photograph or looking through a camera, detached from the rest. The hatching and shading techniques, as well as the use of earthy tones and a somewhat restrained color palette, evoke an ordinary moment captured with a sense of documentary realism, demonstrating Shahn’s interest in the lives of common people and their societal interactions. One can discern a sign near the church entrance promoting a religious meeting, emphasizing the gathering’s purpose and adding context to the scene. The artwork serves as a social commentary reflective of the era and the artist’s own perspective embedded within the community he is observing.

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