Suzanne Chapman

Suzanne Chapman was an artist active between 1935 and 1936, whose output is primarily defined by contributions to the Index of American Design (IAD). This Depression-era federal arts project focused on creating meticulous documentary records of early American decorative and folk arts.

Chapman’s documented works reflect the IAD’s mandate to preserve a visual inventory of objects considered part of the public domain heritage of the United States. Six works attributed to Chapman are currently represented in museum collections, establishing their contribution to this important historical project.

These detailed renderings are often recognized for their precision and careful execution, frequently serving as the basis for research and available today as high-quality prints. The National Gallery of Art holds several of these works, including detailed studies of domestic furnishings and metalwork. Specific titles documented in the collection include Pewter Pitcher, Valance, Chair Seat, and multiple examples of Crewel Embroidery. The documentation provided by Suzanne Chapman prints is considered museum-quality and remains a vital resource for cultural historians.