Irene M. Burge

Irene M. Burge was a renderer and documentarian known for her work produced during a short but intensive period spanning 1936 to 1937. Her artistic output is primarily associated with the Index of American Designs, a federal initiative dedicated to recording American decorative, folk, and popular arts.

The majority of Burge’s documented creative activity involved precise studies of historical objects across various media. Fifteen such Index of American Designs studies are represented in museum collections. These works catalogue various historical crafts and textiles, including the detailed renderings titled Child's Cape, Child's Jacket, and documentation of metalwork such as Candle Holder and Cut Tin Candle Holder.

The verifiable record of Irene M. Burge prints is permanently held in the collections of the National Gallery of Art. As material produced under the Index of American Designs initiative, much of her documentation is today considered part of the public domain. These historical records remain important resources, and high-quality prints of her documentation are accessible for study and exhibition purposes.