Catherine Fowler

Catherine Fowler was active professionally in the short period between 1935 and 1938, dedicating her work exclusively to the documentation efforts of the Index of American Design (IAD), a seminal component of the Federal Art Project established during the Depression era. Her contributions involve the meticulous rendering of early American decorative arts and domestic objects, preserved as part of a national visual encyclopedia of design.

Fifteen distinct designs or objects attributed to Fowler are represented in major American institutions, forming a significant portion of the historical record of everyday artifacts. These documented works focus heavily on textile arts and garment construction. Specific examples held in museum collections include the Applique Quilt, a Cape, and several documented instances of children’s clothing, such as the Child’s Dress.

All known surviving documentation created by Catherine Fowler is preserved within the collections of the National Gallery of Art. Due to the federal nature of the Index of American Design project, the resulting images and reference materials are largely within the public domain, often sought after by historians and textile researchers. Her work provides museum-quality records of historical artifacts, ensuring their permanent visual preservation. Scholars frequently utilize Catherine Fowler prints as authoritative reference materials, attesting to the precision and factual nature of her contribution to American design history during her brief, impactful period of activity.