Betty Jacob

Betty Jacob was an artist active between 1935 and 1941. Her entire documented output is focused on the Index of American Design (IAD), a massive Federal Art Project established under the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The IAD was dedicated to creating meticulous visual records of American folk and decorative arts, preserving documentation of historical material culture across the United States.

Jacob's contributions to this project emphasize historical accuracy and detail, documenting objects rather than creating original compositions. Thirteen of her documented works are represented in museum collections. These plates often illustrate domestic items and regional crafts, providing invaluable historical records. Examples of the works she documented include Pa. German Dress, Redware Pitcher, 4 Gal Crock, and multiple studies of a Coverlet.

These plates serve as critical documents regarding early American craftsmanship and design. All 13 known examples of Betty Jacob’s Index of American Design work are preserved within the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. Because of their creation under a governmental initiative, many of these historical documents are now in the public domain, allowing researchers and institutions access to high-quality prints and downloadable artwork for educational purposes.