Early Life and Education
Born: November 22, 1895, in Waterville, MinnesotaParents: Arthur Clark Dehn (father) and Emilie Haas Dehn (mother), both socialists.Early artistic talent evident from the age of six.
Graduated as valedictorian from Waterville High School in 1914.
Attended the Minneapolis School of Art (later Minneapolis College of Art and Design) from 1914 to 1917. Studied under Robert Kohler.
Formed a close friendship with Wanda Gág, also an artist.
Received a scholarship to the Art Students League of New York in 1917.
World War I and Early Career
Drafted into World War I in 1918 but declared himself a conscientious objector.
Imprisoned for four months in Spartanburg, South Carolina, due to his objection.
Later worked as a painting teacher at an army rehabilitation hospital in Asheville, North Carolina.
Returned to the Art Students League for further study.
Created his first lithograph , *The Harvest*, around 1920.
Exhibited his lithographs at the Weyhe Gallery in New York City in 1921.
European Period and Development as an Artist
Traveled to Europe in 1921, residing primarily in Paris and Vienna.
Associated with a group of intellectuals and artists including Andrée Ruellan , Gertrude Stein, and E.E. Cummings.
Supported himself through illustration work for magazines like *Vanity Fair*.
Developed his distinctive style characterized by unusual tonal and textural effects in printmaking.
His work began to reflect the social scene of Europe, particularly Vienna and Berlin.
Return to America and Mature Artistic Style
Returned to New York City in 1929.
Artwork featured in magazines such as *The New Yorker* and *Vogue*.
Began focusing on watercolor painting in the mid-1930s, achieving significant recognition.
Received a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1939, enabling travel to the Western United States and Mexico.
His watercolors depicted scenes of farms and farmlands in rural America , inspired by trips back to Minnesota.
Became known for his vibrant landscapes and depictions of everyday life .
Second Guggenheim Fellowship awarded in 1951.
Legacy and Historical Significance
Elected as a full academician to the National Academy of Design and a member of the National Institute of Arts and Letters.
His works are held in over 100 museums worldwide, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum , Metropolitan Museum of Art , and Museum of Modern Art .
Recognized for his contributions to lithography , watercolor painting , and caricature.
Influenced other artists, notably Jackson Pollock , with his innovative techniques.
Died on May 19, 1968, leaving behind a prolific body of work that reflects his diverse experiences and artistic evolution.
His art is considered representative of Regionalism , Social Realism , and caricature movements in American art .
By the WikiOO.org Editorial Team
Updated Sept. 2, 2026
