Howard Weld

Howard Weld was an American artist active during a highly focused period between 1935 and 1937. His documented output is entirely associated with the Index of American Design (IAD), a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project established to create a comprehensive visual survey of early American decorative and folk arts.

Weld’s contribution to the IAD involved the meticulous documentation of historical artifacts, reflecting the project’s goal of recording American material culture. Fifteen of his works from the Index of American Design are preserved in museum collections, confirming his role in this important governmental initiative.

Subjects represented in the database of his work include studies of domestic objects and folk art, such as Carousel Horse, Rooster, Chair, and architectural studies like Dining Room Table and Details of Dining Room Table. The historical significance of the Howard Weld prints is established by their inclusion in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. These precise renderings, which now often reside in the public domain, provide important visual records. Institutions frequently make these images available as high-quality prints for scholarly research and educational access.