Clementine Fossek

Clementine Fossek was an artist whose documented career spanned the short but impactful period of 1935 to 1939. Fossek’s contributions are specifically associated with the Index of American Designs, a comprehensive project focused on documenting American folk and decorative arts.

The majority of their surviving output consists of detailed, factual renderings of historic objects. A total of eleven works are represented in collections, demonstrating a meticulous focus on material culture. These works are held by institutions such as the National Gallery of Art, ensuring their preservation as museum-quality documents of American design history.

Notable examples of Fossek's detailed studies include "A Money Saver" Coin Bank, the illustration of a Carpet Bag, and documentation of folk toys such as Toy Bank: Santa Claus and Bank: Toy Building with Figure. Their scope also encompassed jewelry and cases, exemplified by the rendering of a Carved Cameo in Daguerreotype Case. Documentation of Clementine Fossek prints and index designs are frequently accessed today by researchers. Due to their institutional history, many of the original designs are considered public domain resources, often available as downloadable artwork for scholarly study.