Sara Garfinkel

Sara Garfinkel was an artist active from 1935 to 1940, primarily known for her contributions to the Index of American Design. This government initiative, established under the Works Progress Administration (WPA), employed artists to document the historical decorative and utilitarian arts of the United States. Garfinkel produced fifteen documented studies for the index during her brief period of activity.

Her work focused on historical accuracy and precise rendering, creating detailed records of period Americana. The subjects represented in her database index emphasize varied materials and domestic objects, including detailed technical illustrations such as a Lamp, a Silver Box, and textile studies like the Quaker Dress and Infant's Booties. These documentary illustrations are highly valued for their clarity, serving as high-quality prints that preserve the visual details of historical American material culture.

Representative works by Sara Garfinkel are preserved in institutional collections, most notably at the National Gallery of Art. Her documented output also includes renderings of items such as a Pewter Salt or Sugar Bowl. As works created for the U.S. government, much of Garfinkel's artwork from the Index of American Design is today considered to be in the public domain, making the downloadable artwork accessible for academic study and research purposes.