Robert W.R. Taylor

Robert W.R. Taylor was an artist and documentarian active in the mid-1930s. His known professional activity spans the years 1935 to 1936, during which time he contributed extensively to the Index of American Design, a federal arts project dedicated to creating detailed records of American decorative and folk arts.

Taylor’s work reflects a focus on meticulous documentation and the preservation of historical artifacts, capturing objects ranging from domestic implements to commercial signage. Fifteen of his designs and documentations are represented in museum collections, confirming his role in recording significant examples of American material culture.

The works documented by Taylor include representations of utilitarian and historical objects such as a Bell, a Chest, a Cigar Store Indian, a Grease Lamp, and a Hitching Post. These detailed high-quality prints are held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, establishing the historical significance of his contributions to the Index of American Design. Scholars seeking Robert W.R. Taylor prints or access to early American folk art documentation often reference these archival holdings. Much of this work is considered public domain, supporting broad access to American historical design records.