Ludmilla Calderon

Ludmilla Calderon was active in the documentation and design field during a concentrated two-year period, 1935-1937, contributing fifteen pieces to the Index of American Designs project. This body of work is characterized by detailed renderings of historical American decorative arts and utilitarian objects.

Calderon’s output demonstrates a focus on the meticulous study of metalwork, furniture, and domestic items, underscoring the importance of historical craft preservation. Five specific works are documented in reference collections, detailing objects such as the Andiron and Fireplace Set, a Fire Place Kettle, a Silver Glass Holder, and a Spinning Wheel.

The entirety of Calderon’s documented collection is represented at the National Gallery of Art. The preservation of these technical drawings and design studies ensures that the detailed documentation produced by Calderon remains accessible to scholars and designers. Today, these high-quality prints and studies, often considered public domain works, serve as valuable records of mid-century efforts to catalog American material culture. Many of these historical records are now available as downloadable artwork for research purposes.