Palmyra Pimentel

Palmyra Pimentel was an artist active during a concentrated four-year period from 1935 through 1939. Pimentel’s documented work is fundamentally associated with the Index of American Design, a significant federally funded visual survey project dedicated to documenting American historical decorative arts and crafts. Pimentel’s known output comprises meticulously detailed renderings of early American domestic objects, focusing heavily on accurate documentation rather than subjective expression.

The verifiable corpus of Pimentel’s work includes 14 studies held in major collections. These works functioned as technical illustrations, cataloging form, material, and historical style. Examples of these renderings include multiple studies of glass and metalware, specifically documented as Silver Mug, Wine Glass, and Silver Beaker. This emphasis on precise execution and material study characterizes the artist’s contribution to the Index project, creating a comprehensive visual library of design history.

The historical and research value of Pimentel’s documentation is underscored by the presence of these renderings in the permanent collections of the National Gallery of Art. Because this type of historical documentation often enters the public domain, Palmyra Pimentel prints and drawings are frequently accessible for scholarly review. These images provide valuable insights for researchers, and many are now available as high-quality prints, contributing to ongoing studies of early American material culture.