Austin L. Davison

Austin L. Davison was active between 1935 and 1937, working primarily as a documentarian of American folk and decorative arts. Their brief, concentrated period of known output relates directly to the Index of American Design, a significant federal arts project established during the 1930s to document historical American material culture. Davison’s contribution focused heavily on the documentation of Pennsylvania German designs and artifacts, positioning the work within the sphere of documentary illustration rather than original composition.

Fifteen designs attributed to Austin L. Davison are represented in museum collections. These renderings capture intricate details of historical craftsmanship, including subjects such as a Pa. German Dresser, Pa. German Plate, and Pa. German Stove Plate. Specific design studies include the Trivet and a detailed Chair Back Decoration. The presence of these works in the collection of the National Gallery of Art confirms their critical importance as historical records. As foundational documents of American design, much of Davison's work has entered the public domain, offering valuable resources. Today, high-quality prints and reproductions of the Austin L. Davison prints are widely available for study and reference.