Doris Beer

Doris Beer was an artist known primarily for her documentary work created between 1936 and 1937. Her entire known output relates to the Index of American Design, a major federal arts project initiated during the Depression era to create a comprehensive visual survey of American decorative, folk, and craft traditions dating from the colonial period to the late nineteenth century.

Beer’s contributions to the Index focused on detailed renderings of historical textiles, garments, and accessories. These precise documentations reflect the project’s goal of preserving visual records of material culture rather than generating expressive fine art. Fifteen works attributed to Beer are represented in museum collections, confirming her specialization in historical artifact illustration. Specific items rendered include Apron, Bonnet, Bouquet Holder, Boy's Dress, and Brooch.

The entirety of Beer’s documented work is held in the collections of the National Gallery of Art. Because these illustrations originated from a governmental project, the Doris Beer prints detailing these designs often fall into the public domain, making them readily accessible for historical research. These museum-quality documentations remain key resources for the study of early American decorative arts.