Ben Shahn, Silkscreen inspired by Old Testament Psalm 57, 1967

Ben Shahn

Silkscreen inspired by Old Testament Psalm 57, 1967

Silkscreen (Hand Signed w/ copy letter of provenance)

Hand signed and numbered 255/300 by the artist on the front, accompanied by a copy of the letter that is shown on the back

23.5 x 23.5 inches

Silkscreen on Japon paper inspired by Psalm 57, a psalm of David from the Old Testament
"Praise him with psaltery and harp", hand signed, numbered and dated 1966

This work, inspired by Psalm 57 of the Old Testament has fine provenance. It was a gift of the Chairman of Benrus Watch Corporation to his good friends to welcome in the year 1967. (Shown here is a copy of the letter from Chairman Oscar M. Lazrus to recipients of this special gift featuring a quote from the Psalm of David, and introducing the distinguished American artist Ben Shahn, with this exquisite work.)

For your reference, below is the complete text of Psalm 57:
For the Leader; Al-tashheth. [A Psalm] of David; Michtam; when he fled from Saul, in the cave.
Be gracious unto me, O God, be gracious unto me,
For in Thee hath my soul taken refuge;
Yea, in the shadow of Thy wings will I take refuge,
Until calamities be overpast.
I will cry unto God Most high;
Unto God that accomplisheth it for me.
He will send from heaven, and save me,
When he that would swallow me up taunteth,
Selah
God shall send forth His mercy and His truth.
My soul is among lions, I do lie down among them that are aflame;
Even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows,
And their tongue a sharp sword.
Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; Thy glory be above all the earth.
They have prepared a net for my steps,
My soul is bowed down;
They have digged a pit before me,
They are fallen into the midst thereof themselves.
Selah
My heart is stedfast, O God, my heart is stedfast;
I will sing, yea, I will sing praises.
Awake, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp;
I will awake the dawn.
I will give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises unto Thee among the nations.
For Thy mercy is great unto the heavens,
And Thy truth unto the skies.
Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens;
Thy glory be above all the earth.

An edition of this wonderful work sold at Freeman's auction in 2005 for $3,750.