Bessie Forman

Bessie Forman was active in the mid-1930s, with her documented activity centered primarily on the years 1935 and 1936. Her surviving body of work is comprised of fifteen studies related to the Index of American Design (IAD).

The Index of American Design was established under the federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the New Deal era. Its objective was to create a comprehensive visual record of historic American decorative arts, crafts, and folk objects. Forman's participation involved creating precise, detailed renderings of functional objects and historical artifacts, which served as technical documentation rather than expressive fine art. Her work provides valuable visual data on historical American material culture.

Several of Bessie Forman’s studies are preserved in institutional archives and museum collections, notably held by the National Gallery of Art. The subjects documented span textiles and furniture, including renderings such as the Bonnet, Child's Dress and Cape, Dress, Card Table, and Chair.

As historical documentation produced under a federal mandate, these records often fall into the public domain. Today, Bessie Forman prints and studies are widely accessible as downloadable artwork for researchers. The surviving original documentation maintains its status as important museum-quality records of design history.