Edmond Lorts

Edmond Lorts was a designer or draftsman active during the period spanning 1935 to 1941. Their documented work is strongly associated with the Index of American Design, a federal art project focused on documenting the history and development of American decorative and industrial arts.

Lorts’s surviving body of work, represented in major collections, consists primarily of studies of utilitarian and domestic objects, showcasing a diverse range of materials and functions. Items attributed to Lorts include the documentation of a Cane, various Textile Samples, and domestic furnishings such as a Wooden Cradle. Additionally, Lorts documented examples of industrial products, including a Cast Iron Toy Stove and a standard Cast Iron Stove.

The significance of these designs is underscored by their preservation within the National Gallery of Art. Eight documented works, categorized under the Index of American Design, are held in the collection, providing museum-quality examples of mid-20th century American artifact documentation. Because the work originates from a Depression-era federal program, images related to Edmond Lorts prints are often considered part of the public domain, allowing for greater access to these historical design studies.