Artist: Harold W. Ibach (1906–1993)
Title: “Kitty”
Origin: Spring Valley, Fillmore County, Minnesota
Date: 1950
Materials & Dimensions: Pine, paint, sand, and red glass gems. Height 19 inches. On a modern base.

Description: This carved and painted wooden figure titled “Kitty” was made by Harold W. Ibach, a craftsman, printer, and proprietor of an “odds and ends” shop in Spring Valley, Minnesota. Though twentieth century in date, the work possesses the quality, sincerity, and charm associated with the best examples of American vernacular carving.

Carved from pine and finished with painted decoration, sand, and red glass gems, “Kitty” reflects Ibach’s careful attention to proportion, detail, and character. Contemporary newspaper accounts describe how Ibach worked from an original painted design, carving the figure from a block made of glued pine boards and carefully shaping the body, hair, dress, hands, and shoes. One account notes that he spent six weeks carving the hairline and individual strands.

The figure wears a blue dress with white trim, white anklets, black shoes, and blue bows in her hair. Her expression, posture, and scale give the work a memorable presence: part doll, part portrait, and part folk sculpture.

Condition: Retains original painted decoration with sand and red glass jewels. End of pinky finger on left hand missing. Wear and minor paint loss associated with age. Presented on a modern base.

Provenance / Documentation: Accompanied by photocopies of period newspaper articles discussing Harold W. Ibach and his carved figures, including “Kitty.”