Betty Jean Davis

Betty Jean Davis was an American illustrator and documentarian whose verifiable artistic activity spans the period from 1935 to 1953. Her contributions focused predominantly on the accurate visual recording of American folk art and historic decorative arts.

Davis is recognized for providing 13 entries to the comprehensive index of american designs. Her documented work frequently focused on regional craftsmanship, particularly the intricate detailing and ornamentation of Pennsylvania German objects. Examples of the works she documented and which are held in museum records include renderings of a Painted Box, as well as several detailed studies titled Pa. German Chest and Pennsylvania German Chest.

The historical and archival value of her documentation is secured by its representation in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. The studies by Betty Jean Davis prints offer valuable insights into mid-century efforts to preserve America’s material culture. Materials stemming from these major documentation projects are often placed in the public domain, making high-quality prints accessible for scholarly research and appreciation.