Between the Covers

A collection of 13 remarkable portraits by a previously unknown African-American artist from Harlem in New York City. Most of the paintings are signed by the artist, George Edward Smith, including one with his address noted on the back at 10 West 135th Street in Harlem. The collection consists of various striking portraits of women and of the artist’s family, most likely including one or two portraits of the artist with his wife and other family members. Two paintings are dated: 1957 and 1959, indicating that they all likely date from the late 1950s to early 60s.

All 13 paintings are notable for Smith’s striking use of color and bold foregrounding of each person portrayed. Whether it be of a mother or grandmother, a young woman striding forth in heels or going off to church, or of the artist himself and his wife: all possess highly animated and distinctive facial expressions and gestures; and most are portrayed upon a background with whimsical and satirical references to motifs common in European Old Master paintings and still life paintings.

The collection consists of 10 color acrylic paintings on paper, and three in crayon and pastel on paper. Most are outlined with a hand painted black rectangular border. The outer blank margins of all but one painting are toned from having been reinforced with plain masking tape, most of which has been neatly removed, one painting is partly damaged at one corner, and about three other paintings have one or two partial tears on the background near a top or bottom edges, else very good overall, with some waviness from when the sheets were rolled.

An unusual and striking suite of paintings warranting further research regarding the identity of the artist and the circumstances of his life in Harlem during the 1950s and early 1960s. A detailed list of all 13 works follows, in two sections:

I. Color Acrylic Paintings on Paper
Note: the measurements are of the full sheet: eight works were painted within a black rectangular border with outer blank margins; two works fully painted to the edges of the sheet are noted below.

1. George Smith and Wife
Measuring 17” x 27”. Portrait of the artist and his wife? Mounted on foam board.

2. “Wife”
Measuring 16½” x 33”. Signed: “By Geo. E. Smith.” Condition note: there are two tears (about 2"-3" inches each) to the background at the top right and bottom right side; not affecting the foreground portrait.

3. Portrait of George Smith, Jr.
Measuring 15½” x 23”. Portrait of the artist’s son at college, with books in hand. Signed: “By Geo Smith.” Captioned on the recto: “To paint / Geo. Edw. Smith, Jr / By Father G.E.S., Sr.”

4. A Young ‘aristocratic’ Couple
Measuring 13” x 16½”. Signed: “By Geo. Edw. Smith.” Painted on a full sheet, without masking tape having ever been applied along the edges of the sheet.

5. Mother and Son
About 22” x 18”. Painted on a full sheet, with masking tape removed from the edges of the sheet. Captioned on the back: “Completed 1959 in June / 10 W. 135th St. New York City, NY By G.E. Smith, Sr.” Condition note: there is one 3" tear to the background, not affecting either portrait.

6. Grandmother and Grandson
About 17” x 24”. Signed: “By Geo. Smith, Sr. 1957.”

7. Young Woman on a Balustrade in a Garden
About 16” x 32½”.

8. Young Woman in a White Dress
About 15¼” x 25¼”. The top left corner is partly damaged (a 3" piece is torn away), else very good with two small surface abrasions on the background of the left side.

9. Young Woman in a Purple Dress
About 18½” x 33¾”. Signed: “Geo. Smith.”

10. Woman in Green Dress
About 17¾” x 27½”. Signed: “By Smith.”

II. Color Crayon/Pastel Paintings
1. Baby
About 17¾” x 23½”. Signed: “By Geo. Edw. Smith.”

2. George Smith and Wife?
About 17¾” x 23½”. Signed “By Geo. E. Smith.” Condition note: scattered short tears along the blank left margin of the sheet.

3. Family Portrait: Mother, Son, and Father
About 23” x 18”. Signed: “Smith, Geo.”.

Item #442810