J. Andre Smith
Encyclopedia
J. Andre Smith was a war artist
for the United States Army
during World War I
.
, was the son of a sea captain and shipbuilder. After his father's death in 1887 the family lived for a few years in Hamburg
, Germany, and then moved permanently to New York City
. In 1898 he entered Cornell to major in architecture. He received a degree in architecture in 1902, went on to earn a master of science degree in the subject in 1904, and then spent two years in Europe on a Traveling Fellowship from Cornell.
Upon his return from Europe, Smith worked for an architectural firm in New York City and pursued etching and drawing in his spare time. He developed the ability to work quickly and preferred to finish a piece in one sitting (he produced more pieces of art during the war than any of his fellow official artists). In addition to his success as an etcher he spent time in Europe studying art where he produced some moody and gloomy experimental work.
Shortly after the United States entered the war, Smith underwent officer training and became a first lieutenant in the Engineer Reserve Corps. He was soon promoted to captain and called to active duty as an artist. Since he was the only one of the artists with any military training, he was designated the senior officer of the group. Although his architectural background enabled him to produce detailed pictures of buildings, he also drew upon his skills as an artist to produce disquieting and somber images of the war. Additionally, he designed the Distinguished Service Cross
. His leg had to be amputated due to injury while in service, and he was discharged. He returned to etching and published in France with the American Expeditionary Forces, an illustrated volume of his work.
By 1935. his eyesight began to fail and Smith discontinued etching. In 1936, he published a text called Art of the Subconcious which featured a number of water colours. In retirement, he designed and established the Matland Research Studio in 1937, now the public Maitland Art Center
.
War artist
A war artist depicts some aspect of war through art; this might be a pictorial record or it might commemorate how "war shapes lives." War artists have explored a visual and sensory dimension of war which is often absent in written histories or other accounts of warfare.- Definition and context:A...
for the United States Army
United States Army Art Program
The U.S. Army Art Program or United States Army Combat Art Program is a program created by the United States Army to create artwork for museums and other programs sponsored by the US Army...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Biography
J. Andre Smith, born in Hong KongHong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, was the son of a sea captain and shipbuilder. After his father's death in 1887 the family lived for a few years in Hamburg
Hamburg
-History:The first historic name for the city was, according to Claudius Ptolemy's reports, Treva.But the city takes its modern name, Hamburg, from the first permanent building on the site, a castle whose construction was ordered by the Emperor Charlemagne in AD 808...
, Germany, and then moved permanently to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. In 1898 he entered Cornell to major in architecture. He received a degree in architecture in 1902, went on to earn a master of science degree in the subject in 1904, and then spent two years in Europe on a Traveling Fellowship from Cornell.
Upon his return from Europe, Smith worked for an architectural firm in New York City and pursued etching and drawing in his spare time. He developed the ability to work quickly and preferred to finish a piece in one sitting (he produced more pieces of art during the war than any of his fellow official artists). In addition to his success as an etcher he spent time in Europe studying art where he produced some moody and gloomy experimental work.
Shortly after the United States entered the war, Smith underwent officer training and became a first lieutenant in the Engineer Reserve Corps. He was soon promoted to captain and called to active duty as an artist. Since he was the only one of the artists with any military training, he was designated the senior officer of the group. Although his architectural background enabled him to produce detailed pictures of buildings, he also drew upon his skills as an artist to produce disquieting and somber images of the war. Additionally, he designed the Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
. His leg had to be amputated due to injury while in service, and he was discharged. He returned to etching and published in France with the American Expeditionary Forces, an illustrated volume of his work.
By 1935. his eyesight began to fail and Smith discontinued etching. In 1936, he published a text called Art of the Subconcious which featured a number of water colours. In retirement, he designed and established the Matland Research Studio in 1937, now the public Maitland Art Center
Maitland Art Center
The Maitland Art Center is a historic site in Maitland, Florida. It was founded and designed by architect and artist J. Andre Smith in 1937. It is located at 231 West Packwood Avenue. On November 17, 1982, it was added to the U.S...
.