Ben Stahl (1910–1987) American, Pastel on Paper Figurative Illustration, Mother and Child. Pastel figural portrait of a woman in flowing robe, cradling her child. Signed lower left. Framed.

Overall Size: 20 1/4 x 11 1/4 in. 

Sight Size: 13 x 5 in. 

Ben Stahl (1910–1987) was an American artist, illustrator, and author renowned for his vivid narrative paintings and extensive contributions to mid-20th-century illustration. Born in Chicago, he demonstrated artistic talent early, earning a scholarship to the Art Institute of Chicago at age 12 and exhibiting in the International Watercolor Show by 16. Stahl's illustrations graced over 750 stories in The Saturday Evening Post and appeared in publications like Esquire and Cosmopolitan. He illustrated notable books, including Gone with the Wind and Madame Bovary, and created movie posters for films such as Ben-Hur. In 1968, he established The Museum of the Cross in Sarasota, Florida, showcasing his series of 15 large-scale religious paintings. Tragically, in 1969, all but one of these works were stolen in a still-unsolved heist. Stahl also authored novels like Blackbeard's Ghost, later adapted into a Disney film, and was a founding faculty member of the Famous Artists School. His legacy endures through his impactful art and contributions to American illustration.