Print of the Day!! Thurs, Feb 23, 2023 is by James David Smillie (1833-1909): "Self Portrait - Vagabond"; etching; 1906, rare proof. $900.00.

Print of the Day!! Thursday, February 23, 2023 is by Printmaker-Painter James David Smillie (1833-1909). A Smillie painting last Sunday, a self portrait in etching for today's POTD!!

"Self Portrait - Vagabond" is an intaglio, an etching done 1904 and reworked in 1906 by American printmaker-painter James David Smillie (1833-1909). The platemark measures 8 x 6 inches. This proof impression is pencil signed and annotated "N.Y. May '1906", and is inscribed in the plate in the lower left image "J.D. Smillie, March 1906". It pencil annotated "J.D.S. Imp", indicating that it was printed by the artist, this on a thin ivory wove paper that measures 15-7/8 x 11 inches. It was never formally editioned. A reference for this image is Witthoft 107, state ii of ii, illustrated on page 283. This impression was from the collection of Brucia Witthoft, purchased by her from the Smillie estate through the Annex Galleries. Our inventory number for this?rare work is 24410.

This scarce self-portrait by printmaker-painter James David Smillie (1833-1909) is available from the gallery for $900.00. Contact the gallery for price and with any condition or other questions.

Shipping costs will be discussed. California residents will have sales tax added. Out of state residents may be responsible for use tax, depending on state law.

Smillie uses Whistler's technique of using his drawing virtuosity to create the subject, focusing on the subject's face, and becoming more abstract and almost gestural in creating the surround, assuming the viewer can fill in the details of the background themselves, if they wish.

One of only a few proofs of this self portrait by James D. Smillie, done in 1904, when he was 71 years old and reworked and printed in only a few proof in 1906. This impression is from the estate of Brucia Witthoft who wrote the Smillie catalogue raisonné. She comments on this print on page 282:

"In the summer of 1903 Smillie's sixteen-year old son Ralph photographed him at 'The Ark', his new summer house in Keene Valley, Ny. Smillie was dressed in what he called his 'mountain costume'--an old felt hat and an open-necked flannel shirt. The small photograph was enlarged by Charles Smillie on Feb. 10, 1904, to aid JDS in planning an etching.As part of a general attempt to organize and sort his works, Smillie tried to finish a number of his old plates in May, 1906. This self-portrait was one of the works he picked up again. Schneider interpreted the title 'Old Man's Head' as reflecting Smillie's low spirits in 1904, and thought the subsequent title (Vagabond) an indication of improved mood. However his remark on June 20, 1906, is as gloomy and frustrated as his earlier comments--'I am no longer plastic - I'm stereotyped.'"

James David Smillie was born in New York City on January 16, 1833, the eldest son of Katharine van Valkenberg and James S. Smillie. His father, a noted engraver, had a major influence on nineteenth century American engraving and etching and is probably best known for his banknote engraving with Rawden, Wright and Hatch, and for his engravings after Thomas Cole's painting series, "Voyage of Life".

James D. Smillie studied at the Poughkeepsie Collegiate School and later at the University of New York. It has also been noted that he studied at the National Academy of Design in New York. Young James learned the art of engraving from his father and when he was eight years old produced his first etching on copper, a visiting card plate. In January 1846, he tried his first attempt at composition with a watercolor of the fall of Satan after Milton's poem, Paradise Lost.

After two years traveling in Europe, James D. Smillie returned to New York and took up landscape painting. His younger brother George, also an artist, had a studio in New York City and James rented a room in the same building located at 212 Fifth Avenue. He sought inspiration for his imagery in rural settings in New York State, including the Catskills and the Hudson Valley, eastern Pennsylvania, and western Massachusetts.

James D. exhibited in the spring exhibition of the National Academy of Design in 1864, and also exhibited at the Brooklyn Art Association, the Boston Athenaeum, the Artists Fund Society, the Metropolitan Sanitary Fair (to raise funds for the Union wounded), and the Yonkers Sanitary Fair. He was made an associate member of the National Academy of Design in 1865 and taught at the Academy in 1868.

The Smillie brothers had difficultly supporting themselves due to the sparse sales of their paintings and found it necessary to live with their parents. A gift from an uncle allowed the brothers to travel across the country in June of 1871 and live for the better part of four months in Yosemite. During that summer, James drew, painted, and wrote about the majestic splendor of Yosemite. In 1872, Picturesque America was published by D. Appleton and Company of New York. James D. wrote The Yosemite section based upon his journal entries and illustrated it with engravings after his drawings and paintings.

Smillie headed the watercolor committee for the Centennial International Exhibition of 1876. Held in Philadelphia, it was the first official World's Fair held in the United States and was a celebration of America's hundredth anniversary of independence. Smillie was elevated to full Academician in the National Academy of Design in 1876. As early as 1870, he attempted to interest fellow etchers in forming an etching club in New York but had no luck. In 1877, he co-founded the New York Etching Club and the first meeting was held in his studio. In 1881, he was elected as one of the "original fellows" of the London Society of Painter-Etchers.

To purchase this large intaglio, see other works, or read a biography for James David Smillie use this link: https://www.annexgalleries.com/inventory/artist/2205/Smillie/James.

Use this link to view our complete inventory on our website: https://www.annexgalleries.com/inventory?q=