Antique Venice Basilica Di Santa Maria Della Salute Etching by Andre Smith 1913

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Antique framed etching of the Basilica di Santa Maria Della Salute in Venice, Italy by American Andre Smith (1880-1959).
Original … Read more Antique framed etching of the Basilica di Santa Maria Della Salute in Venice, Italy by American Andre Smith (1880-1959).
Original work, signed by the artist and professionally framed with a giltwood frame in Chicago.
Smith was born in Hong Kong, the son of a sea captain who died at sea. The family moved to Hamburg, then Boston, before settling in New York in 1893. He graduated in architecture from Cornell but preferred the painting and etching he pursued in his spare time. By 1911 he had embarked on a new career, attaining considerable note for his etchings. His rapid, accurate work made him by far the most prolific of the official war artists.
It was during his time in Europe that J. Andre Smith was introduced to etchings. He spent much of his free time drawing and etching, and in 1911, abandoned his career as an architect in order to dedicate himself to art. He won the gold medal at the Panama-Pacific International Exhibition in San Francisco for etching. In 1917 he enlisted in the Army Reserve becoming a Captain in the Engineer Corps. His drawings and etchings of WWI brought him great acclaim. In 1919 a book of his drawings was published entitled "American Expeditionary Forces." His work was sought after during the 1920's and is held in numerous museum collections. See less