Alfred Denghausen

Alfred Denghausen was an artist active in the mid-1930s, documenting historical American design between 1936 and 1937. His verifiable output is associated with the Index of American Design (IAD), a federal initiative established to create a comprehensive pictorial survey of decorative and folk arts in the United States.

Denghausen’s work is characterized by meticulous draftsmanship, focused strictly on archival documentation rather than expressive originality. The eight designs by Alfred Denghausen represented in museum collections include records of historical craft and decorative objects such as Blanket (Detail), Bundle Handkerchief, and Handwoven Curtain. Other documented pieces, such as the detailed rendering of a Figurehead and a Grasshopper Weather Vane, confirm his contribution to recording American material culture.

These high-quality prints and drawings serve as vital records for the study of American history. A number of Alfred Denghausen prints are preserved in institutional collections, most notably at the National Gallery of Art. Due to the nature of the Index of American Design, much of this documentation is today available within the public domain.