Alvin M. Gully

Alvin M. Gully was an artist active during a short but historically significant period, 1935 to 1940. Gully’s known output is tied exclusively to the Index of American Design (IAD), a major documentation initiative under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) Federal Art Project. The IAD commissioned artists to create accurate, detailed renderings of American decorative arts and folk objects, emphasizing meticulous technical skill over subjective artistic interpretation.

Fifteen renderings attributed to Alvin M. Gully are documented in museum collections, representing a focused contribution to the preservation of American historical design. These works primarily detail period furniture and architectural features. Specific examples represented in collections include the drawings Block Front Chest of Drawers, Empire Mirror, Lowboy, and the detailed study Queen Anne Side Chair, alongside decorative elements such as the Free Hand Wall Decoration.

The majority of Gully’s preserved work is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, which maintains an extensive archive of IAD documents. These historical renderings are prized today for their clarity and accuracy. Since the original works fall under the scope of WPA productions, many of the Alvin M. Gully prints are now available in the public domain, providing researchers with access to high-quality prints documenting American craftsmanship.