Elizabeth Moutal

Elizabeth Moutal was active in the field of artistic documentation during a focused period spanning 1935 to 1936. Her documented artistic output is intrinsically linked to the Index of American Design (IAD), a comprehensive governmental initiative dedicated to recording early American folk and decorative arts. Moutal’s work emphasized precise rendering, capturing the historical details and aesthetic elements of objects crucial to American material culture.

The National Gallery of Art holds documentation of fifteen of Elizabeth Moutal’s works contributed to the Index of American Design project. These pieces represent specific historical documentation of period items, including renderings of the Bellamy Eagle and a Chair Seat. Her work also focused extensively on marine craftsmanship, evidenced by her detailed drawings of figureheads, including a general Figurehead, a rendering titled Figurehead: Woman, and the specific documentation of the Figurehead from Schooner "Packet".

Moutal's precise illustrations provide invaluable records of objects that may no longer exist or are inaccessible. Documentation of these works often resides in the public domain today, allowing scholars and enthusiasts access to high-quality images. Elizabeth Moutal prints and related renderings are frequently available as downloadable artwork for historical research and display purposes.