Irving L. Biehn

Irving L. Biehn was an artist active between 1937 and 1942, primarily known for producing detailed documentation drawings for the Index of American Design. This federal initiative aimed to create a comprehensive pictorial survey of historical American decorative arts and material culture. Biehn’s output from this period demonstrates a precise technical style necessary for cataloging utilitarian objects and folk craft.

Seven works documenting historical artifacts are represented in museum collections, confirming the significance of Biehn’s contributions to the survey project. These renderings focus on a wide variety of subjects, including commercial effigies and household items. Notable documented pieces include the detailed drawings of a Cigar Store Indian, a Cigar Store Figure: Turk, a Cup Holder, a Tankard, and a Bung Starter Mallet.

The meticulous documentation by Biehn is held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, establishing these works as museum-quality records of American design history. As part of public domain archives, high-quality prints featuring the work of Irving L. Biehn are widely available today, offering researchers access to these royalty-free historical images.