Hans Westendorff

Hans Westendorff was an artist and documentarian active during a concentrated period between 1935 and 1936. His documented output is associated almost entirely with the Index of American Designs, a major initiative aimed at documenting historical American decorative arts and material culture.

Fifteen works by Westendorff representing this endeavor are preserved in museum collections, confirming his role in cataloging and depicting functional objects. His works emphasize precise rendering and fidelity to the design subjects, covering a range of industrial and domestic artifacts.

Specific documented objects include a Pewter Pitcher, a Side Chair, and a Silver Salt Cellar, along with depictions of larger functional items such as a Soda Fountain and a Table. This limited but focused body of work provides critical visual records of early to mid-twentieth-century American design.

The entire collection of works documenting the Index of American Designs, including those created by Hans Westendorff, is held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. Many of these historical records are now in the public domain, providing researchers and enthusiasts access to detailed documentation, often available as high-quality prints.