Eugene Bartz

Eugene Bartz was active between 1935 and 1939, a period that aligns precisely with the initial efforts of the Works Progress Administration’s (WPA) Federal Art Project. Bartz is primarily documented for his significant contributions to the Index of American Design (IAD), a comprehensive visual survey initiated by the WPA to create a national archive documenting historical American craft, folk art, and decorative objects.

Bartz specialized in the meticulous rendering of tools, domestic objects, and industrial equipment, documenting material culture with high precision. Fifteen of his documented studies from the Index of American Design are preserved in major institutional holdings, including the collection of the National Gallery of Art. These include detailed studies such as Chalking Mallet, Starboard Light, Bag, Candle Snuffer, Trimmer & Tray, and Clamp Jack.

These exacting historical renderings confirm Eugene Bartz’s role in preserving the visual record of early American material history. Because they were created under the auspices of the Federal Art Project, much of the original work by Eugene Bartz is now in the public domain. Contemporary access to these resources allows for the creation of high-quality prints and downloadable artwork, ensuring that the documentation captured by these Eugene Bartz prints remains widely available for research and appreciation.