Joseph Goldberg

Joseph Goldberg was an artist active during a concentrated period spanning 1935 to 1937, primarily associated with the Index of American Design. This government initiative focused on documenting historical American decorative and folk arts, capturing details of design, material, and fabrication of utilitarian and ornamental objects.

Goldberg’s documented output reflects this specific documentary purpose, encompassing studies of three-dimensional objects, carvings, and textiles. Five representations of his work are known to be preserved in museum collections, confirming his contribution to the Index. These documented objects include the maritime feature Figurehead: "Samuel Skolfield" and the folk carving Cigar Store Figure. Other works documented by Goldberg include the detailed rendering of a Carving: Boar's Head, a study of Linen, and the functional object Toy Yoke of Oxen.

The documentary significance of Joseph Goldberg's work is established by its inclusion in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Today, works related to the Index of American Design are frequently digitized, making high-quality prints and downloadable artwork accessible to the public. Researchers seeking Joseph Goldberg prints can find these unique contributions preserved within public domain archives.