Frances Bruner

Frances Bruner was active in the documentation of American material culture between 1935 and 1936. Her documented output consists primarily of studies and records associated with the Index of American Design, a large-scale federal initiative established to record regional crafts, decorative arts, and historical design elements across the United States.

Seven works attributed to Frances Bruner are represented in museum collections. These documented objects span utilitarian household goods and specialized craft items, providing valuable insight into period construction and aesthetics. Specific works represented include the functional object Jar and the lighting fixture Pierced Tin Lantern, alongside design studies of Printed Textiles. Bruner also focused on documenting specific regional crafts, exemplified by the detailed renderings of the specialized items Shaker Bonnet Mold and Shaker Cape.

These historical documents are preserved in prestigious collections, notably the National Gallery of Art. Due to their historical significance, many of these Frances Bruner prints and design documents are now accessible as downloadable artwork through public domain initiatives, allowing researchers and enthusiasts to study high-quality prints of American design history.