John I Smart

John I Smart was an artist active during the late 18th century, with his documented artistic output spanning the years 1765 to 1785. His surviving work consists primarily of portraiture.

Fifteen paintings by Smart are currently represented in institutional holdings, demonstrating his skill in capturing specific sitters of the period. Collections holding his work include the Cleveland Museum of Art. Documented individual pieces confirm his focus on commissioned portraits, including the Portrait of Sukey, Lady Oglander, née Serle, the Portrait of Constantine Phipps, and the Portrait of M. de Viapre. Other known works are the Portrait of a Woman and the Portrait of Mr. Gambier.

The high-quality prints and original John I Smart paintings that survive today provide insight into the period’s clientele. Given the age of his artistic output, many of the images based on these museum-quality originals are now entering the public domain, making downloadable artwork and reproduction John I Smart prints accessible for study.