Frank C. Barks

Frank C. Barks was an artist whose career is documented primarily through his contributions to the Index of American Design (IAD). Barks was active between 1935 and 1939, a period corresponding to the Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA). His work focuses on the precise, documentary rendering of American decorative arts and historical utilitarian objects.

Fifteen works attributed to Frank C. Barks are represented in institutional holdings, confirming his role in the large-scale effort to create museum-quality documentation of Americana. The National Gallery of Art holds these documentary renderings in its permanent collection. Specific documented pieces reflecting this focus include studies of domestic and transportation items such as the Pack Saddle, Saddle, and multiple views titled Coffee Mill, alongside cultural artifacts like Beaded Bag.

The detailed documentation produced by Barks often served as templates or records for scholarship. Today, these Index of American Design records, including Frank C. Barks prints, are widely considered to be within the public domain, offering valuable insight into 1930s federal arts programs.