Ben Stahl (1910-1987) American, Pen/Graphite Sketch on Paper. Likely a series of anatomical studies, including a fully realized image of a woman in a shirt and full-length skirt, the unfinished upper torso of a man, a hand grasping a ball, and two eyeballs, creating a surreal image implying the objectification of the feminine form. Signed and dated 1986 bottom left, meaning it was created the year before the artist died. 

Condition: Signs of toning. 

Overall Size: 19 3/4 x 22 3/4 in. 

Sight Size: 11 1/4 x 14 1/2 in. 

Benjamin Albert Stahl, born in Chicago on September 7th, 1910, was an artistic prodigy who began his career as an illustrator and later served as an official U.S. Air Force artist during World War II. After moving to Sarasota, Florida in 1953 he became a prominent figure in the local art colony and taught at various institutions, including the Art Institute of Chicago, New College of Florida, and the Art Students League of New York. Stahl gained widespread recognition for his elaborate illustrations in publications like The Saturday Evening Post and for his contributions to advertising and movie posters, including Ben-Hur. He was a founding faculty member of the Famous Artists School and appeared on Bob Ross’ television series The Joy of Painting, where Ross referred to him as “one of the best painters in the country.” Beyond his painting and teaching, Stahl authored two novels, “Blackbeard’s Ghost” (later a Disney film) and its sequel, “The Secret of Red Skull.” However, his legacy is tragically linked to the unsolved 1969 theft of fifteen enormous religious paintings from his self-funded Museum of the Cross, a financial blow from which he never recovered, and Stahl died on October 19th, 1987 having never learned what became of his magnum opus. 

Signs of toning. 

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