Gerard Barnett

Gerard Barnett was an artist and documentarian professionally active during a concentrated period spanning 1935 to 1941. His output is identified primarily by the descriptor "9 index of american designs," confirming his specialization in recording historical American material culture and decorative artifacts. This work often involved detailed renderings, watercolor studies, or measured drawings executed for large-scale federal arts documentation projects.

The surviving documentation attributed to Barnett confirms a focus on functional items and folk art aesthetics. Notable works represented in museum collections include studies of a Satchel, various examples of historical Wood Carving, and analyses of specific objects such as Animal Head and Carousel Horse's Head. The precision required for these documents, exemplified by the rendering Wood Carving - Profile Face, underscores their value to design and cultural historians.

The historical significance of Barnett's work is established through its preservation in major institutional holdings. The National Gallery of Art is among the collections holding documentation attributed to him. Due to the era in which this documentation was produced, much of his contribution to the Index of American Design falls into the public domain. This ensures that Gerard Barnett prints and archival imagery are often available as downloadable artwork, providing researchers and the public with access to high-quality prints of historical American design.