Philip Smith

Philip Smith was active in the realm of American design documentation during a focused period from 1938 to 1939. His documented output is entirely associated with the Index of American Designs, a comprehensive federal initiative established to record the history of decorative and folk arts in the United States. This work focused on capturing the form and detail of historical American objects through highly detailed renderings, serving as important visual documentation that contributes significantly to the study of early American craft.

His contributions to the Index include documentation for eight designs held in museum collections. These designs capture utilitarian objects, including a Bowl, Pitcher, Preserve Jar, Small Jug, and Meat Dish. The precise, objective style employed in this documentation allows for the high-quality prints and reproducible images of these historical objects to be widely distributed today as downloadable artwork.

The importance of Smith’s documentation work is underscored by its inclusion in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. The preservation of these technical drawings ensures the continued accessibility of these historical records. Researchers and enthusiasts often seek Philip Smith prints and records of this era for their historical value, cementing their status as museum-quality documentation.