Edna Crenshaw Rex

Edna Crenshaw Rex was an artist active in 1935, whose work is represented in the collections of the National Gallery of Art. Her professional practice centered on the specialized field of documenting American material culture, evidenced by her contribution to 15 index of american designs. This body of work identifies her as a key figure in initiatives focused on preserving historical American decorative arts and craftsmanship through detailed study and illustration.

Rex’s documentation efforts focused on a diverse range of functional and ornamental objects. Designs represented in museum collections include plans for the practical Arm Chair and Baby's Cradle, alongside smaller, highly decorative pieces such as a Bracelet, a Box, and a historical Canteen. These records provide museum-quality references of early American design.

While her primary medium was documentation, her commitment ensured that these historically significant designs were preserved for future study. Today, much of this documentation falls into the public domain, allowing institutions and researchers to access high-quality prints and royalty-free reproductions for scholarly and educational use.