Irving I. Smith

Irving I. Smith was an artist active during a concentrated period between 1935 and 1937. His professional output centered on the precise documentation and rendering of American material culture, specializing in detailed studies of historical furnishings.

The known body of work attributed to Smith consists of fifteen designs categorized as an index of American artifacts. These drawings typically emphasize technical accuracy and detailed representation rather than expressive style, placing them within the context of 1930s federally sponsored art documentation. Specific examples of documented designs include the Shaker Drop-leaf Table, the Shaker Ironing Table, and the Shaker Peg Leg Stand. Smith also produced multiple renderings of the Shaker Sewing Table.

The collection of Irving I. Smith prints is represented in the National Gallery of Art, establishing the historical and cultural significance of his documentary efforts. These studies, often now available in the public domain, provide important visual records of American craft and design. Such works are frequently reproduced as high-quality prints, offering museum-quality insight into early twentieth-century archival projects.