Edith Magnette

Edith Magnette was active in the field of design documentation during a focused period between 1931 and 1936. Magnette’s work is characterized by detailed studies commissioned for the Index of American Designs, a large-scale project dedicated to surveying American decorative and folk art traditions.

Fifteen works attributed to Magnette are represented in museum collections, establishing the artist's role in this historical recording effort. These documented objects include utilitarian items and household furnishings, such as studies of a Candle Mold, multiple renderings of a Burner and Kettle, and a textile design for a Quilt. The comprehensive nature of the designs ensures their status as museum-quality historical documents.

Magnette’s renderings are held by the National Gallery of Art, providing a record of material culture from the early 20th century. While Magnette did not produce traditional Edith Magnette paintings, their output of design documentation is increasingly studied. Many of these historical records are now widely accessible, often entering the public domain, allowing for the distribution of high-quality prints of the original studies.