JULES ANDRE SMITH (AMERICAN, 1880-1959) LANDSCAPE PAINTING, watercolor and pencil on paper, probably a Connecticut scene, depicting a farmhouse, outbuildings, and fields with haystacks in a mountainous setting. Signed lower left. Professionally matted and housed under glass in a modern Arts and Crafts style frame. Circa 1920-1930. 11 1/2" x 16 5/8" image, 21 3/4" x 26 1/8" OA.
Provenance: From a private Winchester, VA collection.
Catalogue Note: Born in Hong Kong, the artist Jules Andre Smith (1880-1959) immigrated to the United States at a young age. He studied architecture at Cornell University, but abandoned the career a few years after graduation to pursue artistic endeavors in France. With the outbreak of World War I, he was chosen as an official artist of the American Expeditionary Force and recorded battle scenes at the front lines, which were eventually published in a book. After the war, he settled in Stony Creek, Connecticut, but he returned to France frequently to pursue further study. His was recognized primarily during this period for his etchings and won a gold medal in the category at the 1915 Pan-Pacific Exposition in San Diego. In the 1930s, Smith's work became much more modern and abstract, and, with the help of a wealthy patroness, he established a studio and artist's colony in Maitland, Florida, which attracted a number of important figures, including Milton Avery and Charles Pendergast. The present lot likely dates from Smith's period in Connecticut and clearly demonstrates his abilities as a fine draftsman.

Painting in good condition with light overall toning and small areas of staining in upper right corner.