Carol Larson

Carol Larson was an artist active during a concentrated period between 1935 and 1938. Her documented artistic output is intrinsically tied to the Federal Art Project’s Index of American Design (IAD), a government initiative dedicated to creating a comprehensive visual record of American decorative, folk, and utilitarian arts from the colonial era through the 19th century.

Larson’s contributions reflect the breadth of objects documented by the IAD, focusing on historical material culture. Five works attributed to the artist are represented in museum collections, including studies of functional and decorative objects such as the Wood Box or Chest, the Zoar Picture Frame, and the Indian Weather Vane. She also documented unique artisanal pieces, specifically the Carved Nude and the Painting on Velvet.

Works by Carol Larson are preserved in major American institutions, most notably held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Because of their origin in the federally sponsored IAD, studies like those produced by Larson are typically considered to be in the public domain. Today, high-quality prints and digital reproductions of this historical documentation are widely available for study and reference.