Joseph L. Boyd

Joseph L. Boyd was an artist active between 1935 and 1936 whose work is exclusively documented through the Index of American Designs (IAD). The IAD was a major initiative under the Federal Art Project, established during the Great Depression, dedicated to creating precise, visual records of American decorative and folk art objects. Boyd served as a meticulous draftsman for this project, producing technical renderings of historical crafts and functional artifacts.

Fifteen renderings created by Joseph L. Boyd are represented in major institutional holdings. These works are preserved in the collections of the National Gallery of Art, establishing the importance of his contributions to this national documentation effort. Boyd's subject matter was diverse, focusing on utilitarian and domestic items such as a Locksmith's Sign, a Trivet, and a detailed drawing of a Wheelwright's Drill, alongside records of patterns like a Piece of Calico Patchwork and Wallpaper. These records constitute crucial historical documents detailing material culture.

As high-quality prints stemming from the Index of American Designs, many of the visual records created by Joseph L. Boyd are considered part of the public domain, providing researchers and the public with access to this extensive historical inventory.