Ben Shahn (September 12, 1898–March 14, 1969) was born in Lithuania to a father who was once exiled to Siberia. When his father managed to escape, the family fled to America, settling in New York. Although Shahn started out as a biology major at New York University, he ended up as an artist at the National Academy of Design. After his time there, the 24 year old married and traveled through North Africa and Europe, inspired by artists like Paul Klee, Picasso and Matisse.

Upon his return to the states, he became very caught up in many polarizing political events of the day - while trying to find himself as an artist, be became a photographer at the Farm Security Administration and literally shed light on many social problems. As he became an outspoken social activist, he finally found his voice in art as well, using his painting, poster work, graphics and large murals to tell very detailed stories and communicate very definitive statements about injustice, poverty, war, etc. By the 1960's, Shahn was a well known, much respected artist and even a leading academic, with an election to the American Academy of Arts and Science, and honorary doctorates from Princeton and Harvard universities. Upon his death, his friend composer William Shuman (1910–1992) wrote the canticle "In Praise of Shahn" that was performed by the New York Philharmonic.