George Roehl

George Roehl was active as a documentarian and illustrator between 1937 and 1942. His work is primarily associated with the Index of American Design, a federal arts project dedicated to creating a comprehensive visual record of historical American decorative, folk, and utilitarian arts. Roehl’s contributions are precise studies of craft objects, focusing on mechanical detail and material texture.

Roehl is represented by six designs held in museum collections, confirming his role in preserving visual information about early American material culture. His documented works are characterized by their clarity and technical accuracy in rendering diverse items. Notable examples of his cataloging include studies of the Parasol, the Chopper, the Combination Saw/Knife, the Horseshoeing Tool, and the Flatiron.

Today, these original documented works are preserved in the collections of the National Gallery of Art. The historic and artistic value of these detailed designs means they are frequently sought after, often made available to researchers and the public as downloadable artwork. Many of these illustrations are considered public domain assets, allowing for the widespread creation of museum-quality reproductions and high-quality prints for educational purposes. George Roehl prints remain essential visual references for studying American industrial and domestic history.