W. Langdon Kihn facts for kids

Wilfred Langdon Kihn (born September 5, 1898 – died December 12, 1957) was an American artist. He was known for painting and drawing pictures of people. His special talent was creating portraits of American Indians.

Who Was Wilfred Langdon Kihn?

Wilfred Langdon Kihn was born in Brooklyn, New York. His parents were Alfred Charles Kihn and Carrie Lowe (Peck) Kihn. Even when he was young, his artistic talent was clear. He went to Boys' High School in Brooklyn.

Early Life and Training

In 1920, Wilfred Kihn married Helen Van Tine Butler. They lived in Hadlyme and Moodus, Connecticut.

He studied art at the Art Students League from 1916 to 1917. He learned from famous teachers like Homer Boss and Winold Reiss.

Kihn's Art and Focus on Native Americans

Wilfred Kihn wanted to record the cultures of Native American tribes. He spent many years visiting and living with different tribes. These trips took him across the Western United States.

A portrait by W. Langdon Kihn of Sem-Medeeks from Gitinanga, British Columbia.

In 1920, he became a member of the Blackfeet tribe in Montana. They gave him the name "Zoi-och-ka-tsai-ya." This name means "Chase Enemy in Water."

What Made His Portraits Special?

In 1922, the New York Times newspaper wrote about Kihn's art. They said his portraits were amazing because they showed people's true characters. The article noted that Kihn's paintings were not overly emotional. Instead, they were clear and direct. He captured the unique look of each person.

Illustrating Books

Besides his portraits, Kihn also drew pictures for many books. One book was Indian Days in the Canadian Rockies (1923) by Marius Barbeau. Another was Pocahontas and Her World (1961) by Frances Carpenter. Many of his book illustrations were colorful portraits. For children's books, like Flat Tail (1935), he often used simple line drawings.

Later Life and Legacy

Wilfred Kihn was also involved in local politics. He ran for a position in the Connecticut House of Representatives. This was in 1948, as a candidate for the Democratic party.

He passed away in 1957 in New London, Connecticut. He was buried in Cove Cemetery in Hadlyme, Connecticut.

Where Can You See His Art?

Wilfred Kihn's paintings have been shown in many museums and galleries. His first shows were in the early 1920s.

Today, you can find his artwork in several permanent collections. These include the McCord Museum in Montreal, Canada. His work is also at the Davison Art Center Gallery at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut.

In 2014, the Foosaner Art Museum in Florida held a special show of his art. It included pictures from the Vancouver Art Gallery and the National Geographic Society.