What is the Index of American Design?
The Index of American Design is a collection of over 18,000 detailed watercolor renderings of American folk and decorative arts, created between 1935 and 1942.
The Index aimed to celebrate America's usable past by showcasing the artistry in everyday objects and inspiring future generations of makers, artisans, and designers.
The project was part of the Federal Art Project, a work-relief program during the Great Depression that gave jobs to hundreds of artists while preserving American heritage.
The project's director, Holger Cahill, believed artists could capture the essential character of these objects with watercolors more successfully than photographs.
Artists documented objects like textiles, pottery, and furniture—capturing the beauty of American craftsmanship from the colonial era to the 1900s.
These works represent a unique moment in history—a celebration of creativity, heritage, and timeless design.
Retablo Print, Index of American Design
Print & Frame Guide
We offer two premium print options—Fine Art Prints and Stretched Canvas Prints—each available framed or unframed. Every detail has been carefully chosen to ensure museum-quality presentation and lasting durability.
Fine Art Prints
Our fine art prints are produced on thick fine art paper that is acid-free for archival quality and a longer print life compared to standard paper options.
Unframed
Printed edge-to-edge with no border
Framed
Each framed print is professionally finished using museum-quality materials:
- Solid wood frame (0.875″ w x 0.875″ h; larger sizes use 1.25″ w x 0.875″ h)
- 2″ white mat (all fine art prints, excluding posters)
- Matboard slightly overlaps the print by 0.125″ on each side
- Frame overlaps matboard by 0.25″ on each side
- Optical-grade clear acrylic (shatter-resistant, UV-protective)
- Dry-mounted to foam core for flatness and stability
- Kraft paper dust cover backing
- Hanging wire installed for easy display
Frame Colors
*If you prefer no mat, a different mat size, or one of the below mat color options, please contact us before placing your order.
Custom sizing is available upon request. Please contact us for a quote.
Stretched Canvas Prints
Our canvas prints are crafted from a durable, archival-quality polycotton blend. Each one is hand-stretched over solid wood stretcher bars for a gallery-quality finish.
- Edges wrapped in a color chosen to complement the artwork
- Archival inks ensure rich color and lasting vibrancy
Unframed
- 1.25" canvas depth
- Hanging hardware pre-installed
Framed
A sleek floating frame gives the canvas a finished, elevated look:
- Frame width: 0.55"
- Frame depth: 1.69 – 1.88" (varies by size)
- Hanging hardware pre-installed
Frame Colors
*Additional frame options listed below. Please contact us for a quote if you are interested in one of these styles.
Custom sizing is available upon request. Please contact us for a quote.
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Ready to Hang Options
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What is the Index of American Design?
The Index of American Design is a collection of over 18,000 detailed watercolor renderings of American folk and decorative arts, created between 1935 and 1942.
The Index aimed to celebrate America's usable past by showcasing the artistry in everyday objects and inspiring future generations of makers, artisans, and designers.
The project was part of the Federal Art Project, a work-relief program during the Great Depression that gave jobs to hundreds of artists while preserving American heritage.
The project's director, Holger Cahill, believed artists could capture the essential character of these objects with watercolors more successfully than photographs.
Artists documented objects like textiles, pottery, and furniture—capturing the beauty of American craftsmanship from the colonial era to the 1900s.
These works represent a unique moment in history—a celebration of creativity, heritage, and timeless design.