E.J. Gilsleider

E.J. Gilsleider was an artist active during the late 1930s, documenting American decorative arts and material culture between 1935 and 1940. Gilsleider's output is closely tied to the Index of American Design (IAD), a federal arts project established to create a comprehensive visual record of the nation’s historical artifacts.

The artist's documented works consist primarily of highly detailed, often technical, studies of utilitarian and folk objects. Nine such renderings are currently represented in museum collections, reflecting the IAD’s focus on historical preservation. Key documented works include the studies Knit Hose, Lantern, Silver Teapot, Weather Vane, and Porringer. These drawings demonstrate careful execution suitable for museum-quality documentation.

Examples of E.J. Gilsleider prints and drawings are preserved in significant institutional holdings, including the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Because these works were produced for a federal project, the documentation is often considered part of the public domain, allowing for widespread study and research.