Untitled High Desert Forest Scene [SOLD]

Sam Smith was one of the most accomplished Albuquerque artists during the mid-20th century. He was a friend of Wilson Hurley, who had praised his artistic accomplishments.  He had moved to Albuquerque at the age of 7 years, and was associated with the University of New Mexico art department from 1956 until his retirement as a professor of art in 1984. He had studied with artists Randall Davey, Jack Levine, Ben Turner and Carl Von Hassler. During World War II, he documented combat scenes while on duty in West Africa and in the China-Burma-India Theater.

Smith mostly painted in realistic style, but this painting is certainly more impressionistic in style than most of his.  As a professor of art, it is not unusual that he would be familiar with many painting styles and perhaps paint in a number of them.

The brilliant color palette in this forest of trees is strikingly beautiful. The artist applied the paints in a heavy coat with a deft hand.  It is signed Sam Smith in lower right.

Condition: original condition

Provenance: from a family in Albuquerque