George E. Rhone

George E. Rhone was an artist active between 1935 and 1940, primarily contributing to the Index of American Design (IAD). The IAD was a major federal art project established under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) tasking artists with documenting the history and aesthetics of American decorative, folk, and industrial arts. Rhone’s work reflects the project’s emphasis on precise, technical rendering and documentation of historical artifacts.

Fifteen of George E. Rhone prints and drawings associated with the IAD are represented in museum collections, reflecting his skill across various media documentation. His notable output includes detailed studies of domestic and functional objects, such as the metalwork rendering Spur and the study of textile patterns Eagle Coverlet. Rhone also documented folk religious art, exemplified by his drawing Retablo - The Holy Family, alongside technical pieces such as the drawing titled Technique Demonstration and the object study Hitching Post.

The major repository for Rhone’s output is the National Gallery of Art, which holds the core collection of the Index of American Design. Due to their provenance and public funding, many of these historical documents reside in the public domain. This accessibility allows for the creation of high-quality prints and downloadable artwork reproductions, ensuring these detailed records of American material culture remain available for scholarly research and general appreciation.