Syrena Swanson

Syrena Swanson was an artist whose documented professional activity spanned a concentrated period from 1935 through 1937. Swanson specialized in documentary renderings, with her works indexed under the umbrella of American design studies. These studies emphasize historical material culture, textile history, and domestic artifacts, providing valuable records of everyday objects and historical apparel.

Fifteen works by Swanson are represented in museum collections, establishing her contribution to the preservation of American decorative arts history. This collection of detailed studies is held by the National Gallery of Art. Her documented works often focus on precise measurements and renderings of objects, reflecting a systematic approach to documentation typical of historical preservation projects of the era.

Specific items rendered by Swanson include studies of domestic textiles and objects, such as Pickle Jar, Boy's Waistcoat, Child's Dress, and Child's Skirt. Another notable work is the detailed rendering of historical attire titled Costume Accessories: Worn by T. Jefferson.

Today, many of the documentary studies created by Swanson and similar artists are considered to be in the public domain. This accessibility allows researchers and collectors to obtain high-quality prints and archival resources based on the original documentation. The detailed nature of these historical records often positions them as museum-quality educational resources.