Randolph F. Miller

Randolph F. Miller was a contributing artist active in the United States between 1935 and 1937. Miller's documented output consists primarily of precise renderings created for the Index of American Design (IAD), a Works Progress Administration (WPA) initiative dedicated to documenting the history of American decorative and folk arts. This federal art project required detailed, accurate studies of objects and architectural elements from across the nation, resulting in high-quality prints and drawings intended for national artistic and educational use.

Fifteen works attributed to Miller are represented in institutional holdings, cementing his position as a recorder of historical material culture. These drawings and watercolors, often architectural or artifact studies, are held in collections such as the National Gallery of Art.

The focus of Miller’s work centered on capturing precise design and structural details, as evidenced by titles such as Keystone in Arch at San Juan Capistrano Mission and the detailed study Leather Seat in Confessional (Detail). Other notable preserved works include documentation of Classical Leaves and Scroll and Bier. Because the original IAD records were commissioned by the U.S. government, much of Randolph F. Miller prints are considered part of the public domain, offering access to these historical design records.