Florence Huston

Florence Huston was a documentarian artist active in 1936, whose known output is associated exclusively with the Index of American Design (IAD). The IAD was a critical initiative of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) Federal Art Project, focused on creating objective, museum-quality records of American decorative and folk art objects dating from colonial times through the 19th century.

Huston’s specialization involved creating precise renderings of historical artifacts, capturing minute details of craftsmanship and design. Fifteen of her Index of American Design renderings are preserved in institutional collections. These works catalogue a diverse range of objects, including industrial and ecclesiastical items. Documented examples include the detailed study of a Comstock Miner's Lantern, as well as renderings of a Baptismal Font, a Chair, a Chandelier, and a Church Chair.

Huston’s significant contributions to this historical record are held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. Because of their origin in a federal program, many of these Florence Huston prints are today in the public domain, serving as invaluable reference materials for scholars and designers seeking high-quality prints documenting American material culture.