Virginia Kennady

Virginia Kennady was an American artist active during a short but significant period in the late 1930s, with documented activity spanning from 1935 to 1939. Their work is fundamentally associated with the Index of American Design (IAD), a prominent initiative within the Federal Art Project established during the Great Depression. The IAD commissioned artists to create precise documentation of American decorative, folk, and industrial arts across the centuries.

Kennady’s contributions consisted of detailed renderings of period domestic objects and furniture, reflecting the IAD’s focus on historical material culture. Seven of the artist’s known studies are preserved in museum collections, including works held by the National Gallery of Art. Notable subjects documented by Kennady include architectural and utilitarian items such as a Bed Double, a Cupboard, an Armchair, a Card Table, and a Cradle. These careful studies demonstrate the technical skill necessary to produce museum-quality documentation.

As products of a federal commission, many of Virginia Kennady prints and designs are considered to be in the public domain. This allows researchers and historians access to high-quality prints of this crucial record of American craft. The resulting downloadable artwork ensures that Kennady's contribution to the preservation of early American design remains accessible today.