Paintings by Frank Vining Smith « Frank Vining Smith

Paintings by Frank Vining Smith

by admin on Sep.14, 2009, under Frank Vining Smith Paintings

Frank Vining Smith

“Uncharted Seas” and Other Interesting Marine Pieces by Boston Painter at Doll & Richards’s Gallery

Mr. Frank Vining Smith is holding his first Boston exhibition of paintings at the Doll & Richards Gallery, 71 Newbury street, [sic] until November 18. He is a marine painter of distinct merit, who has had an excellent training in his art, and has specialized mainly in illustration.i

With this blunt, simple statement serving as a herald’s trumpet, so was Frank Vining Smith’s grand entrance into the world of fine art first announced. It was in the early winter of 1921 that Smith experienced the excitement and anxiety of his first one-man show, an event that did not fail to draw notice from the Boston papers despite its having only a brief run lasting from November 8thth to the nineteenth of that year.ii Declarations that his work was “distinctly decorative, not to say splendid”iii and “rendered with verisimilitude and dramatic effect”iv readily spilled from the lips of reviewers, while the “warm sunlight”v and “really beautiful and airy sky”vi found within his pieces were particularly commended. Exhibiting an array of varying nautical themes with which to demonstrate his skills and entice interested buyers we find that historical compositions depicting various sail craft through the centuries were present in number, as were a host of lonely seascapes and wooded island landscapes, (the overwhelming majority of which received favorable and enthusiastic criticism). Yet it was his visions of empty coastline that captivated those who viewed the show the most, compelling one reviewer to comment, “There is something doing in the way of surf in all of these canvases, and they are made with a great deal of strong first-hand observation and naturalism.

:Frank Vining Smith

6 Comments for this entry

Chuck
November 28th, 2009 on 9:56 pm
Does anyone know if Mr. Smith kept a record of his paintings? I inherited a Clipper ship painting by Mr. Smith titled, “Voyage Home” and I am not sure what year it was painted. From what I know the painting was originally owned by my grandfather (I am 36) as a young man who was a attorney and had a flare for art. Not sure where he may have purchased it or when so that is another part of the mystery for me. I have established communication with the Peter Williams museum out of Boston and from the photos I sent them they agree that the painting appears authentic as an original. Unfortunately the painting which is oil on canvas needs some work as it is yellowed with a few, what I would call as an uneducated individual minor cracks. Any insight anyone could offer would be greatly appreciated. I really would like to collect any information that I could on this piece. I thank you in advance. On a side note, if a tally of Mr. Smiths art is in the works I would be happy to supply photos to the creator of that archive.
Tarky7
November 28th, 2009 on 10:13 pm
Hi Chuck -

Please send me a photo – It seems that this site is starting to get some traction in the search space with information about the provenance of the painting. Email me at kit@frankviningsmith.com if you like, I will create some pages on this site to feature paintings like yours so that there is an opportunity for other people to find them and exchange information.

In this way I can also get the creators of the Frank Vining Smith book to be able to easily take a look and give their expert opinion.

Kit
Chuck
November 28th, 2009 on 11:41 pm
Per your request I just sent you an email with a couple of photos. One of the front view of the painting and the other is a shot of the title located on the back of the frame. I would agree creating a page to offer photos of his work available for others to view is a good idea. Even if no information is collected I would think that fans of his paintings would appreciate the available views. Thanks again for the interest and putting this site together.
Marci
January 26th, 2010 on 12:29 pm
Have you ever seen or heard of “Before The Driving Wind” Signed Frank Vinning Smith lower right. Looks to be in the original frame, resembling the frame on the piece titled “Red Jacket. Do you have any info or interest?

Sincerely,
Marci
admin
January 26th, 2010 on 4:04 pm
Hi Marci – I would refer you to this gallery – Peter Kiernan Marine Arts Gallery. Salem Ma 978-745-500 www. Marinartsgallery.com – they have posted on this site and I have personally talked with the owners. They can give you an expert opinion on the painting in your possession.
Marci
January 27th, 2010 on 7:21 am
Is there any particular pieces of Frank Vinning Smith I should look for? What are the most desired nautical paintings? I love any ship paintings. I do have a few oils on board. Some of the names are hard to figure out, such as Kilbrew, Carr, Robinson I believe. Thank you for your response and the info. Much appreciated.

Sincerely, Marci