Geoffrey Holt Harry Mann Waddell

Geoffrey Holt Harry Mann Waddell was an artist and documentarian whose known active period spanned the years 1935 to 1939. Their documented output is primarily associated with the Index of American Design (IAD), a federal arts initiative established during the Great Depression to create a comprehensive pictorial survey of decorative and applied arts in the United States.

Waddell’s contributions to the Index focused heavily on architectural documentation, particularly restoration drawings related to historic structures and their painted interiors. The works emphasize precise rendering and archival detail, exemplified by titles such as Restoration Drawing Wall Painting and Door, Facade Mission House, Restoration Drawing: Main Doorway & Arch to Mission House, and interior studies including Wall Painting and Door (Interior). These detailed documents functioned as critical records for historical preservation.

Seven index designs attributed to Waddell are held in museum collections, confirming the artist’s involvement in documenting significant architectural and decorative forms. These works are permanently preserved by the National Gallery of Art. The preservation of these records ensures that documentation concerning Geoffrey Holt Harry Mann Waddell paintings and associated designs remains accessible. Today, these historical records, valuable for research, are frequently available as high-quality prints through public domain initiatives associated with the NGA’s digital collection.