Marie Lutrell

Marie Lutrell was an artist documented as active between 1938 and 1940. Their professional output is associated primarily with the Index of American Design, a monumental visual survey project administered under the Federal Art Project of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Lutrell contributed fifteen documented index entries to the project, focusing on rendering and documenting historical American craft, folk art, and applied arts during the late years of the Great Depression era initiative.

The works attributed to Lutrell demonstrate a rigorous focus on historical domestic objects and decorative arts documentation. Specific recorded titles, which function as precise visual records, include detailed renderings such as Candlestick, Pa. German Ship, Calico, and Printed Calico. These meticulously created design renderings establish Lutrell’s contribution as a recorder of material culture.

As foundational components of the WPA initiative, these historical documents are preserved in national collections. Works represented in museum collections, including renderings by Marie Lutrell, are held by the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. The fact that the designs were created under a federal project means that many of Marie Lutrell prints and design documents have entered the public domain. This accessibility allows researchers and the public to acquire high-quality prints and downloadable artwork, ensuring the continued study of these important artifacts of American heritage.