John Rubens Smith
Documented pre-photo America, taught art.
John Rubens Smith was a London-born painter, printmaker and art instructor who worked in the United States. Smith was born in London, England where he first studied art with his father, John Raphael Smith, a mezzotint engraver. He later studied art at the Royal Academy. Smith emigrated to New York City from London about 1807. He depicted the United States in the decades before photography, and influenced a generation of American artists through his drawing academies and drawing manuals. He died in New York City. His son John Rowson Smith (1810–1864) was a moving panorama painter who worked with Richard Risley Carlisle.
Relationship Network
Master student
- John Raphael Smith Master
- Sanford Robinson Gifford Student
Parent child
- John Raphael Smith Parent
- John Rowson Smith Parent
Artworks by this artist (86 total)
- Mrs. J.R. Smith, Elizabeth Pepperell Sanger, sitting on a rock 1809-1829
- The actors monument 1833
- West front of the United States Capitol with cows in the foreground 1831
- Britons! Franks!! Rejoice! Rejoice!! Rejoice! 1814
- Eliza P. Smith teaching John his lesson 1814-1818
- An allegory on printing 1809-1844
- Two men conversing in a field, windmills, buildings, and a body of water beyond 1809-1844
- View of the stores at the mouth of the Mill River with the English sloop at anchor taken from the ground Walter Perrys 1809-1844
- Mount Vernon 1828-1849
- Encampment at West Point 1820
- Swet’s tavern 2 1832
- Margaret McCord 1839
- Ruined stone house with seated figure 1809-1844
- John Rubens Smith, self-portrait 1817
- Britons rejoice, rejoice, rejoice 1814
- Distant view of Boston 1809-1849
- Design for drop curtain – Holliday St. Theatre, Balto. 1840
- Family group – Smith, his wife and six children pointing at examples of their work 1809-1849
- Rural gothic church 1809-1844
- Portrait of Unknown Man 1811