November 2021

We would like to extend our gratitude once again to Michael Berg, who has generously donated an important selection of Ben Shahn artworks to the Madison Art Collection. The gift includes a 1920s drawing of a male and female figure, lounging, which may represent Ben Shahn and his first wife, Tillie Goldstein (2021.4.158) and a preparatory drawing (2021.4.179) for a portrait of the poet William Carlos Williams (1883-1963), which were later used in Williams' books and poetry collections (2021.4.193, 2021.4.194). Berg also gifted us an undated drawing of a farmer with a hoe (2021.4.181), the screen print Psalm 133 (A Song of Ascent of David) (2021.4.178) and the lithograph Boy Playing Double Oboe (Psalm 150) (2021.2.91). 

These works join other important drawings and prints by Ben Shahn previously donated by Michael Berg.