Luther Wenrich

Luther Wenrich was an American artist whose documented activity spanned the years 1935 through 1941. His artistic output is centered on the Index of American Design (IAD), a crucial division of the Federal Art Project established during the New Deal era to create a visual record of historic American decorative and folk arts.

Wenrich contributed eleven documented works to the Index, characterized by detailed, high-quality prints and renderings used for archival purposes. These meticulously documented designs focused largely on functional objects and regional material culture, particularly items originating from Pennsylvania German traditions. Examples of his work include the domestic artifacts Pa. German Chest and Pa. German Child's Bank, alongside designs for utility items such as the Tin Wall Sconce, Whirligig, and Flat Iron Stand.

The historical significance of Wenrich’s documentation is validated by its inclusion in prominent institutional holdings. His designs are represented in the collections of the National Gallery of Art. Because of their origin within the federal project, many of these Luther Wenrich prints are available in the public domain, offering access to historically important and museum-quality documentation of American folk design.