Death of a Miner
Shahn forged his social vision for art during the years of the Depression, and a concern for labor and industry continued to inform his work throughout his career. This is one of four paintings and dozens of drawings that Shahn made of a deadly 1947 mine disaster near Centralia, Illinois. A dying miner lies at the center of the composition, flanked by huddled family members and an escaping worker. A red abstract form, Shahn's depiction of the toxic gasses that killed most of the workers, floats sinisterly at left. Although committed to realism, Shahn expertly makes use of developments in abstract and modern art in his interpretation of the tragic event, as in the hazy, colored background.
Artwork Details
- Title: Death of a Miner
- Artist: Ben Shahn (American (born Lithuania), Kaunas 1898–1969 New York)
- Date: 1949
- Medium: Tempera on paper attached to muslin on wood
- Dimensions: 30 3/4 x 51 3/4 x 4
- Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Arthur Hoppock Hearn Fund, 1950
- Object Number: 50.77
- Curatorial Department: Modern and Contemporary Art
More Artwork
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.