to the
Joseph Smith
Salon No. 11

Back to E-Museum Entrance

Portrait of a Merchant and his Partner by Joseph Smith, 1821 Pokerwork on wood panel, 13 in. by 14.9 in. (inside frame) After the 1515 oil painting of that title by Quentin Massys Digital image by the owner

Portrait of a Merchant and his Partner by Joseph Smith, 1821 Detail of the figures Pokerwork on wood panel, 13 in. by 14.9 in. (inside frame) After the 1515 oil painting of that title (also known as "The Misers" by Quentin Massys Digital image courtesy of the owner

Portrait of a Merchant and his Partner, detail of the signature by Joseph Smith, 1821 Inscription on the verso reads: Smith Pyrographist 4 Medcalf Place Pentonville 1821 Pokerwork on wood panel, 13 in. by 14.9 in. (inside frame) After the 1515 oil painting of that title by Quentin Massys Digital image thanks to the owner

Portrait of a Merchant and his Partner, detail verso by Joseph Smith, 1821 Detail verso of a sketch of an eye plus some illegible writing Pokerwork on wood panel, 13 in. by 14.9 in. (inside frame) After the 1515 oil painting of that title by Quentin Massys Digital image thanks to the owner

Portrait of a Merchant and his Partner by Joseph Smith, 1821 Pokerwork on wood panel, 13 in. by 14.9 in. (inside frame) After the 1515 oil painting of that title by Quentin Massys Digital image thanks to the owner

From the private collection of John Hague is this 1821 panel, which has been in his family since about 1960, by English artist Joseph Smith. The panel was done after a 1515 oil painting by the Flemish artist Quentin Massys. The inscription burnt on the back of the panel—Smith, Pyrographist, 4 Medcalf Place, Pentonville, 1821—indicates that Smith was working in a different location from what he inscribed on other panels, which was often Skipton or Skipton Castle.

In the Pinto Collection at the Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery in England, there is an 1810 full-length portrait by Joseph Smith of John Jeffreys (after a painting by Hoppner). An article entitled The Pinto Collection: Important 19th C. Pyrographic Artists highlights research and notes by conservator Susan Millis on that collection.

UPDATE—November 2011: Joseph Smith of Skipton is a research travelogue offered by John Hague himself, who travelled to Skipton to learn more about the elusive and prolific artist who signed his works "Smith, Pyrographist." It includes a picture of Smith's studio over the Skipton castle gate.

---

If you have either any questions or any information regarding the Joseph Smith work displayed here, please e-mail the E-Museum Curator.