Cigar Store Figure: Turk c. 1938

This watercolor painting by Irving L. Biehn, circa 1938, depicts a "Turk" cigar store figure. These figures were popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, often placed outside tobacco shops to attract customers. Biehn’s stylized figure, standing on a pedestal, wears a traditional Ottoman costume, complete with a turban, long, flowing robes, and a pipe. The bright colors and detailed rendering contribute to the figure’s captivating charm, embodying a romantic and exotic vision of the East. The image is a valuable historical artifact that reflects the cultural exchange and perceptions of the time.