M. Smith Artwork valuations, appraisals and auction estimates

Matthew Smith (1879 - 1959) was born in Halifax, West Riding of Yorkshire, in 1879. His family belonged to the puritanically austere and energetic industrial bourgeoisie. Read the full biography

Matthew Smith (1879 - 1959) was born in Halifax, West Riding of Yorkshire, in 1879. His family belonged to the puritanically austere and energetic industrial bourgeoisie. He was a British painter of nudes, still lifes and landscapes. He studied design at the Manchester School of Art and art at the Slade School of Art. He had the chance to meet Henri Matisse in Paris and thus acquire an interest in Fauvism. Smith lived, worked and exhibited in England and France. Between World War I and World War II he often lived in Paris and Aix-en-Provence, France. During this period he had poor mental and physical health. In 1920 he became a member of the London Group and his first solo exhibition was at Tooth's Gallery in London in 1926. His works were purchased by Roger Fry and the Tate Gallery. His work was also exhibited at the Venice Biennale in 1938 and 1950. In 1949 he was awarded the title Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) and was knighted in 1954.