Aurelia Arbo

Aurelia Arbo was an artist active primarily during a concentrated period between 1935 and 1936. Her output is documented exclusively through her contributions to the Index of American Design, a historic archival project administered under the U.S. Federal Art Project (FAP).

The Index of American Design aimed to create a comprehensive visual record of American decorative, folk, and utilitarian arts from the colonial period through the late nineteenth century. Arbo’s work for the Index reflects this historical mandate, focusing on precise documentation of architectural elements and domestic objects rather than independent artistic expression.

Arbo is credited with 15 documented designs represented in museum collections. Specific works demonstrate her focus on documenting metalwork and decorative items, including renderings such as Balcony Railing, Iron Balcony Railings, and the small domestic utility piece Foot Scraper. Her documentation also extended to handcrafted items, exemplified by her study of Jointed Wooden Dolls.

These historical documentation works are recognized for their intrinsic value in preserving American material culture. Today, a significant body of Aurelia Arbo prints is held in the collections of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. Because these records were produced under the Federal Art Project, many of Arbo’s documented drawings have entered the public domain, providing researchers and designers with access to high-quality prints for historical study.