Carl O'Bergh

Carl O'Bergh was an artist active during 1938 and 1939, principally recognized for his contribution to the Index of American Design (IAD). The IAD was a New Deal-era federal art project established to create comprehensive documentary renderings of American folk and decorative arts. O'Bergh’s documented output focuses on these meticulous renderings, with fifteen index of american designs attributed to him, suggesting a specialized role in archival documentation rather than the creation of original fine art.

The works represented in museum collections emphasize the documentation of devotional folk sculptures, known as bultos, typically originating from the American Southwest. Five such documentation pieces are cataloged, including the specific titles Bulto (Saint with Hands Extended) and Bulto (St. Ignatius). This professional documentation work is preserved within the collections of the National Gallery of Art. Due to the federal origin of the project, many Carl O'Bergh prints and original drawings have entered the public domain, providing access to museum-quality archival material.