Laura Bilodeau

Laura Bilodeau was a documenter and draftsperson active between 1937 and 1941, working primarily on the Index of American Designs. This federal art initiative was dedicated to cataloging and preserving records of American folk art, decorative arts, and utilitarian objects from across the nation. Bilodeau’s contributions during this brief but focused period included at least fifteen documented renderings.

Her work emphasized the meticulous, factual representation of three-dimensional objects, focusing on regional craft and vernacular design. Notable documented pieces include the wooden carvings of Pa. German Wooden Eagles and the complex assemblage Wooden Model - Coach & Four Horses. Bilodeau’s renderings also preserve designs for recreational items, such as the Wooden Rocking Horse, and architectural elements, exemplified by the Geometric Weather Vane and the figural Sheep Weather Vane. These precision drawings functioned as high-quality prints documenting objects that often lacked prior archival records.

Today, Bilodeau’s contributions to American decorative arts history are represented in major institutional holdings. Fifteen of her Index of American Designs renderings are held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Because this material originated from a federal project, much of the documentation, including Laura Bilodeau prints, is available in the public domain, making the downloadable artwork readily accessible for researchers and historical study.