Miners' Wives

Gallery 204, American Art, second floor (Sherrerd Gallery)

Main Building

Miners' Wives

c. 1948

Ben Shahn (American (born Lithuania), 1898–1969)

Originating from a commercial assignment, Miners' Wives is one of four paintings and nearly one hundred drawings Shahn created in response to a 1947 mining disaster in Centralia, Illinois, in which 111 miners died in an explosion. The powerful impact of the painting stems, in part, from the artist's decision to focus on the aftermath of the catastrophe, in particular the devastation brought to the miners' families, rather than the blast itself.

Gallery 204, American Art, second floor (Sherrerd Gallery)

Object Details

Title:

Miners' Wives

Date:

c. 1948

Artist:

Ben Shahn (American (born Lithuania), 1898–1969)

Medium:

Tempera on panel

Dimensions:

48 x 36 inches (121.9 x 91.4cm)

Classification:

Paintings

Credit Line:

Gift of Wright S. Ludington, 1951

Accession Number:

1951-3-1

Geography:

Made in United States, North and Central America

We are always open to learning more about our collections and updating the website. Does this record contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Contact us here.

Please note that this particular artwork might not be on view when you visit. Don’t worry—we have plenty of exhibitions for you to explore.

Gallery 204, American Art, second floor (Sherrerd Gallery)

Main Building

Museum map