Jessie M. Youngs

Jessie M. Youngs was a professional renderer active from 1935 through 1953, primarily associated with the documentation efforts of the Index of American Design (IAD). The IAD, a division of the Federal Art Project, employed artists nationwide to create meticulous, historical records of American decorative and folk arts dating from the colonial period through the 19th century. Youngs contributed 12 documented works to this index, focusing on the careful rendering of historical objects, tools, and domestic wares.

The subjects documented by Youngs were diverse, encompassing industrial design, domestic life, and early weaponry. Notable examples include the studies Locomotive Headlight, Straw Roller, and Coffee Roaster, alongside items such as Bandbox or Hat Box and the detailed rendering of the firearm Blunderbuss. These specific works represent museum-quality historical documentation critical to the preservation of American material culture.

The extensive archive of records created by Jessie M. Youngs is preserved in major American institutions, establishing the historical credibility of the work. These Index of American Design prints are held by the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. Today, these historical renderings often reside in the public domain and are available internationally as high-quality prints and downloadable artwork, offering access to the visual history documented during this critical period of American arts research.