Shahn, Ben. PLEIADES. Prescott 42. Lithograph with hand-coloring in watercolor and gold leaf, 1960. 18 x 24 1/4 inches; 460 x 616 mm. Signed with brush in red ink. From the edition of unspecified size (Prescott knew of 54, of which 3 were unsigned). The calligraphy and the outline of the constellation are printed, in black and pale gray, respectively. The squares, which are not printed, were hand-colored and leafed by Shahn and his son Jonathan. In very good condition with very faint toning. Provenance: Kennedy Galleries, NY, and The Jewish Museum, NY, with their label The quotation is from the Book of Job, 38:31-38: Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons? Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth? Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee? Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go and say unto thee, Here we are? Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart? Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven, When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together?
