Natalie Simon
Natalie Simon occupies a unique and significant position in American history, defined by achievements in both the meticulous documentation of decorative arts and the breaking of barriers in global athletics. While her renown expanded substantially in 2022 when she became one of four American women to hold a FIFA international refereeing badge—and notably the first African-American woman to achieve this distinction—her foundational career was established decades earlier through the lens of early American design.
Simon was a core contributor to the Federal Art Project’s ambitious Index of American Design (IAD), working primarily between 1936 and 1937. Conceived during the Great Depression, the IAD employed artists to meticulously capture and preserve the visual identity of artifacts from America’s past, before they vanished due to neglect or modernization. Simon’s contribution was marked by an exacting precision and a deep respect for the functional object. Her renderings served not merely as illustrations, but as crucial historical records, transforming common household goods into subjects of serious artistic study.
Her index entries, now part of the National Gallery of Art collection, Washington D.C., catalogue objects ranging from early colonial furniture to intricate textiles. The list of documented works includes two detailed studies of a Bureau, a specialized drawing of a Carved Wood Book Cover, and the delicate detail captured in a Corner of Needlepoint Cushion. These drawings illustrate her mastery of line and texture, establishing complex visual information with clarity and economic use of color.
The underlying mission of the Index, which Simon furthered, was to make American design heritage widely accessible. This commitment ensures that her historical drawings are frequently sought after. Researchers often access Natalie Simon prints to study the nuances of historical craftsmanship, finding that the artistry embedded in objects like the Bed study translates effectively through high-quality prints. Today, this downloadable artwork aids scholars and enthusiasts worldwide. It is perhaps unsurprising that an individual who dedicated her earliest professional years to the meticulous, rules-based documentation of material culture would later thrive in the high-stakes, fiercely disciplined environment of international sports officiating, cementing a dual legacy defined by principled precision.
