Hester Duany

Hester Duany was an artist active during a short but significant period in American documentation projects, with known contributions dating between 1935 and 1936. Duany's output is directly tied to the Index of American Design (IAD), a federally supported initiative of the 1930s dedicated to documenting historic American craft, folk art, and decorative arts.

Duany is represented in museum collections by fifteen works classified under the "index of American designs." These studies showcase the meticulous documentation required by the IAD, cataloging items ranging from common household tools to unique decorative objects. Specific examples held in collections include renderings of a Candlestick, a Carved Toy Horse, a Chopping Knife, Jack Straws, and a Silver Beaker. The historical importance of these renderings is validated by their inclusion in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Because these historical works are frequently considered public domain, Hester Duany prints and studies are often accessible to scholars and the general public. Today, the detailed nature of Duany’s documentation ensures these museum-quality pieces remain important resources for those seeking downloadable artwork related to 18th and 19th-century American material culture.