Agnes Karlin

Agnes Karlin was active in American design documentation between 1935 and 1936, a highly focused period dedicated to the study and preservation of historical domestic artifacts. Karlin’s documented output consists of six index of american designs, created as part of the expansive Index of American Design project.

These works focus on the meticulous rendering of functional objects and decorative arts, reflecting the mid-1930s effort to catalog the nation’s material culture. Designs represented in museum collections include detailed studies of a Bowl, Wine Glass, Armchair, Pa. German Deep Dish, and Pie Plate.

The precision and detail of these designs ensure the preservation of historical artifact data. These historical records, often available today as high-quality prints, are preserved in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. The few existing Agnes Karlin prints serve as important visual references for American craftsmanship. The museum-quality documentation produced by Karlin during this brief tenure contributed significantly to the scope of the Index.