Frances Cohen

Frances Cohen was active in the documentation of American material culture during the mid-1930s, with recorded activity spanning 1935 to 1938. Cohen’s output is uniquely tied to the Index of American Design (IAD), a nationwide initiative under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) dedicated to creating detailed, accurate records of American folk and decorative arts prior to 1900.

Cohen’s contribution to the project consists of 15 documented works held in institutional collections. Their documentation ensures the preservation of museum-quality historical records, demonstrating a focus on both whimsical and functional objects, including illustrations of a Gilt Weather Vane, a Wooden Chicken, and the ship carving Figurehead: Abe Lincoln. Cohen also produced technical illustrations documenting early American textiles and attire, exemplified by the study Man's Smock and Trousers, alongside detailed renderings of commonplace items like Piece of Shag.

The entire body of documented work by Frances Cohen is preserved in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. Today, many of these plates are in the public domain, allowing researchers and enthusiasts access to high-quality prints derived from the original documentation, furthering the initial preservation goals of the IAD. Examples of Frances Cohen prints remain vital references for the study of 20th-century preservation initiatives.