Smith’s work is defined by its painter sensibility — an enduring influence on generations that followed. Most artists are dead; following is a declaration of love.

Mourning Sampler
Made by members of the Smith and Humphreys families at Miss Field’s School Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Mrs. Noah Smith and Family
Attributed to Ezra Ames American, 1768–1836 Copy after Ralph Earl American, 1751–1801

Untitled (Portrait of the Smith Family, New York)
Unknown maker American, 19th century

Chest
Attributed to the Valdés family (active 18th–19th centuries) New Mexico

Casket
Embriachi Workshop (Florence, Italy, c. 1370-1395 and Venice, Italy, 1395-c. 1420) Italian; Venice

Vessel (Ukhamba)
Magwaza family Zulu KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Eastern and Southern Africa

Blood Pool
Kiki Smith American, born Germany, 1954

Tanktotem I
David Smith American, 1906-1965

The Family Concert
Jan Steen (Dutch, 1626–1679)

Noah Smith
Ralph Earl American, 1751–1801

Barometer
Vulliamy London English, 18th-19th century

Desert Forms
Hughie Lee-Smith (American, 1915–1999)

Virgin and Child with an Angel
Sandro Botticelli (Italian, 1444/45–1510)

Untitled
Kiki Smith American, born Germany, 1954

Cubi VII
David Smith American, 1906–1965

Dorothea and Francesca
Cecilia Beaux (American, 1855–1942)

Kiki (Smith)
Chuck Close American, 1940-2021

Beach Scene
David Smith American, 1906-1965

Kesa
Japan