Mabel Ritter

Mabel Ritter was an American documentarian and artist active during the mid-1930s, with documented activity spanning 1936 and 1937. She is primarily known for her contributions to the Index of American Design, a significant initiative sponsored by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). This expansive project employed artists to create meticulous visual records of American folk art, decorative objects, and historical craft before such items deteriorated or were lost.

Ritter’s surviving documentation reflects her dedication to the precise rendering of functional and ornamental artifacts. Her works focus on traditional craftsmanship and domestic objects, subjects essential to the IAD’s mission of historical preservation. Notable examples of her output include detailed studies of textiles, such as Patchwork Quilt and Patchwork Square, alongside renderings of practical items like Pipe and Purse.

Eleven of Mabel Ritter's studies are represented in major American museum collections, establishing her role in this foundational archival effort. Her work is specifically held by the National Gallery of Art. As documentation created under federal mandate, these historical renderings are often considered public domain and are widely available for scholarly research. The institutional preservation of this catalog ensures that high-quality prints of her work remain accessible for study and exhibition.