Neva Coffey

Neva Coffey was an American artist active circa 1940. While the specific details of her birth and death dates are not recorded in the available metadata, her documented output indicates activity within the mid-20th century. Her known works were created as part of the Index of American Design, a major Federal Art Project initiative dedicated to documenting historic American material culture and decorative arts.

Coffey’s work is characterized by detailed, technical renderings of functional objects. These watercolor and gouache illustrations served as archival records, emphasizing the forms and craftsmanship of traditional American household items. Her style aligns with the precise, documentary aesthetic required by the Index of American Design.

Five works by Coffey are currently represented in museum collections, confirming her contribution to this historical documentation effort. These works include multiple studies of utilitarian objects, specifically two renderings of a Flat Iron Holder, two illustrations of a Match Safe, and a single depiction of a Whale Oil Peg Lamp and Stand. These historically significant illustrations are preserved in the collections of the National Gallery of Art, establishing the museum-quality standard of her contributions.

Today, many items from the Index of American Design, including works by Coffey, are in the public domain. This makes high-quality prints and downloadable artwork of these historic records widely accessible for study and reference. These Neva Coffey prints and illustrations are highly valued resources for researchers studying early American material culture.