Aaron Fastovsky

Aaron Fastovsky was an artist or documentarian active during a concentrated period between 1935 and 1936. Their known output is directly linked to the Index of American Designs (IAD), a landmark documentation project initiated during the Works Progress Administration (WPA) to catalog and preserve records of American decorative and folk arts. Fifteen works related to the Index of American Designs are currently represented in institutional holdings.

Fastovsky’s contributions focused on documenting objects and designs, often emphasizing detail suitable for museum-quality reference. Examples of the works preserved include renderings of specific silver objects, such as the Silver Communion Cup, the Silver Mug, the Silver Salt Cellar, and the Silver Teapot. Another documented item is the Bourganet.

These historical documentation works are important components of art history research and are preserved in the collections of the National Gallery of Art. Because of their origin in federal projects and preservation in national institutions, materials documenting Fastovsky's activity often enter the public domain, providing a foundation for researchers. High-quality prints derived from these historical records are frequently available for study and reference, providing critical insight into American craft history.