Lon Cronk

Lon Cronk was active in the realm of documentary illustration between 1935 and 1937. Their brief, focused activity centered entirely on contributing to the Index of American Design, a monumental project dedicated to cataloging and preserving detailed visual records of American decorative and folk arts.

Cronk’s known output includes documentation for fifteen designs within the index, focusing on utilitarian objects and American craftwork. The subjects recorded demonstrate a focus on domestic and functional items, including studies of the Appliqued Quilt, Coverlet, Fluting Iron, Printed Cotton, and a Shaker Bed. These detailed records function as museum-quality documents of historical material culture.

Documentation executed by Lon Cronk is preserved in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. These records, often reproduced as Lon Cronk prints, represent a crucial historical resource, and are frequently available today as downloadable artwork, ensuring broad access for researchers and enthusiasts.