Michael Lauretano

Michael Lauretano was a designer and documentarian active for a brief but critical period between 1935 and 1940. Lauretano’s recorded output is strongly associated with the Index of American Designs, a federal project initiated to document historical and vernacular decorative arts across the United States.

Lauretano is represented in collections by 15 entries related to the Index of American Designs. These works focus primarily on interior decoration and applied arts, documenting specific historical patterns and techniques. Notable titles among these design records include Bandbox Paper, Wall Stencil, Free Hand Decoration, and detailed studies of Free Hand Wall Decoration.

The fidelity and historical relevance of these design documentations established them as museum-quality resources. The significance of Lauretano’s contribution to preserving records of early American design is recognized by the National Gallery of Art, which holds examples of their work in its collection. Given their status as documentation from the federal arts project, much of Lauretano’s work is now available in the public domain. Downloadable artwork related to these designs is frequently utilized by historians and contemporary designers seeking authentic records of American craft.