Title: Psalm 133.
Artist: Ben Shahn (1898-1969).
Medium: Lithograph in colors, 1963.
Edition c.200.
Paper size 20 3/4 x 26 7/8" (52.7 x 68.2 cm).
Reference: #53 in "The Complete Graphic Works of Ben Shahn" by Kenneth Wade Prescott.

Description: Signed in red brush lower right. "A. Manaranche Grav. Lith." in plate lower left. Printed by A. Manaranche, Fernand Mourlot, Paris.

Printed within the image is the text, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for breathren [sic] to dwell together in unity. It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aarons beard; that went down to the skirts of his garments; as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing even life forevermore." The blue calligraphy (Hebrew) at the top translates as "A Song of Ascents of David."

Ben Shahn - printmaker, painter, muralist - was born in Kovno, Lithuania in 1898. He arrived in the United States in 1908 with his family and settled in Brooklyn. He was apprenticed to a lithographer after finishing elementary school at the age of fourteen. As an apprentice, he spent long hours of work grinding stones and lettering stones. He once stated that he made "thousands and thousands of letters." It is fortunate that he liked the history of alphabets because he would use them throughout his artistic career. Shahn believed in hard work and craftsmanship - qualities that would stay with him throughout his career.

Shahn's first published lithographs were in 1931 and were issued in portfolios. His first individual print was produced in 1936. He is well known for his social imagery of the Civil Rights Movement and posters showing the horrors of WWII. He produced over 249 prints during his life.

Very good condition.