John Davis

John Davis was active primarily during the mid-1930s, documenting American decorative arts between 1932 and 1937. His verifiable output is associated predominantly with the Index of American Design (IAD), a federal art project established under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) to create a visual record of historic American folk and decorative arts.

Thirteen of his documented studies are represented in museum collections, focusing on architectural details, ship carvings, and functional designs. These detailed renderings often served as the primary visual reference for artifacts that were perishable or difficult to access. Five notable examples represented in institutional databases include the studies of a Cat Head Gargoyle, the figural representation of a Cigar Store Indian, an Eagle, the nautical documentation of a Peacock Stern Carving, and the furniture study of a Shaker Blanket Chest.

The historical and museum-quality significance of Davis’s work is established by his representation in the collections of the National Gallery of Art. The careful documentation provided by John Davis prints ensures the preservation of these visual records. As much of the original IAD material has entered the public domain, this foundational research remains widely accessible for researchers and designers seeking downloadable artwork.