Alf Bruseth

Alf Bruseth was an American artist whose documented activity spanned a precise period between 1935 and 1938. His output is intrinsically linked to the Index of American Design, a major federal arts initiative established during the mid-1930s to document historical American decorative and folk art.

Bruseth’s contribution to the Index consists of detailed renderings and studies of utilitarian objects. Fifteen of these index of American designs are held in museum collections. Specific documented works include renderings of a Firemark, a Wood Carving of 6 Balls, a Door Stop, a Flatiron, and a Banjo. These works are valued for their clear, factual representation of early American material culture.

The collection preserving a significant portion of Alf Bruseth’s designs is the National Gallery of Art. The historical importance and careful documentation of these works grant them museum-quality status. As a federally commissioned project, much of Bruseth’s index documentation is now in the public domain, making the images readily available as royalty-free downloadable artwork for researchers and collectors seeking high-quality prints.