Justice on Trial
dal 14/10/2002 al 29/12/2002
Segnalato da
14/10/2002
Justice on Trial
Yale Art Museums, New Haven
Ben Shahn's Case for Sacco and Vanzetti. The trial and execution for murder of two Italian immigrants, both ardent anarchists, Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti, 75 years ago has been described as 'the most politically charged murder case in the history of American jurisprudence.'
Ben Shahn's Case for Sacco and Vanzetti
The trial and execution for murder of two Italian immigrants,
both ardent anarchists, Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo
Vanzetti, 75 years ago has been described as "the most
politically charged murder case in the history of American
jurisprudence."
It inspired an outpouring of poetry, music, and visual art, in
addition to vehement political protest. Perhaps the most
significant artistic response was Ben Shahn's (1898Â1969)
Sacco and Vanzetti series, the subject of this exhibition,
which was recognized by scholars as the most sustained
treatment of the case in ne art. Indeed, the rst New York
showing of works from this series in 1932 established his
career and marked a turning point in the development of
social realism in America. The exhibition at Yale was
organized by Robin Jaffee Frank, associate curator of
American paintings and sculpture, with the assistance of
Amy Kurtz Lansing, Marcia Brady Tucker Curatorial Intern.
The show features two major paintings, both titled The
Passion of Sacco and Vanzetti, reflecting the artist's view
that the trial and execution of these two men was a modern
Crucixion. The paintings are exhibited here for the rst time
with ten related gouaches and a print. "Shahn creates
profoundly moving images," said Ms. Frank, "by using the
tools of modernism-manipulation of scale, distortion of
gures and compression of space-to portray the
protagonists, including state ofcials, the judge, witnesses,
protesters, defendants and their guards." Archival material,
including contemporary political pamphlets, photographs, and
newspaper accounts, place Shahn's work in context and give
viewers further insight into the issues surrounding the trial and
sentencing.
Justice on Trial: Ben Shahn's Case for Sacco and Vanzetti is
offered in conjunction with a number of community
discussions and performances during New Haven's marking of
the 75th anniversary of the controversial case, which remains
relevant to current debates on capital punisment, immigration
policies, and ethnic and racial intolerance. The Yale Art
Gallery is grateful for the generous loan of Ben Shahn's works
by public and private collections.
The exhibition is supported in part by funds made
possible by a challenge grant from the National
Endowment for the Arts.
Image:
Ben Shahn, Sacco and Vanzetti and Their Guards,
gouache and pen and ink on paper, 1931-32. Private
Collection, © Estate of Ben Shahn, Licensed by VAGA,
New York, NY
Yale University Art Gallery
1111 Chapel Street
New Haven