01 Nov
Project Description
Description: Watercolour, gouache, charcoal and pencil on paperboard, 33.7 x 61.6 cm. Signed 'F. Hopkinson Smith' (lower right)Catalogue note: Francis Hopkinson Smith was an American author, artist and engineer. He was endowed with versatility, during his lifetime he had three successful careers - he built the foundation for the Statue of Liberty, wrote many famous stories and received awards for his paintings.While working as an engineer, Smith painted in his spare time and befriended many young artists in the city. A self-taught painter, his vacations were spent sketching during his travels. For over 30 years, he spent summers in Venice, painting en plein-air. He was a member of the New York Tile Club and illustrated several books, including two works of travel sketches. With the success of his publications, Smith began to devote more time to his artistry. At age 50, he compiled a series of short stories for publication and shortly after released his first work of fiction, Colonel Carter of Cartersville in 1891. His 1896 novel Tom Grogan and 1898 novel Caleb West were each the best-selling book in the United States in the year of their release.
Provenance: Acquired from Christie’s, Sale 17035, Lot 168, Invoice no. DB19011611. Bernard Black Gallery, New York | Acquired by the late owner from the above, 1967
Catalogue no.: 2019P0250-FHS
