Sir Matthew Smith

Still Life

c.1936

© Estate of Sir Matthew Smith

License this image

Not on display
Artist
Sir Matthew Smith 1879–1959
Medium
Oil paint on canvas
Dimensions
Support: 806 x 997 mm
Collection
Tate
Acquisition
Presented by Sir Matthew and Lady Smith 1943, in memory of A/Sq. Ldr F.M. Smith, killed on active service 1940, and Sq. Ldr C.D. Smith DFC, killed in air combat 1941
Reference
N05401

Display caption

In the 1930s Smith lightened the colours of his painting. This was in contrast to the sometimes impenetrable reds and browns he had used earlier. This still life is based on the weird mauve colour of the anemone flowers in the basket at the left. In some places the paint is thin, so that the white ground shines through as in a watercolour. The design is like a still life by Cézanne, but Smith's fluid brushstrokes suggest the liveliness of the fruit.

This is one of Smith's largest still lifes. He and his wife chose it to present to the Tate Gallery during the war, as a memorial to their two sons, their only children, both killed while serving with the Royal Air Force.

Gallery label, September 2004

Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? We would like to hear from you.

Catalogue entry

N05401 STILL LIFE c. 1936

Not inscribed.
Canvas, 31 3/4×39 1/4 (85×100).
Presented by Sir Matthew and Lady Smith 1943 in memory of their sons A./Sq. Ldr. F. M. Smith, killed on active service 1940, and Sq. Ldr. C. D. Smith, killed in air combat 1941.
Exh: Tate Gallery, September–October 1953 (59); R.A., October–December 1960 (202).

In the Tate exhibition catalogue, 1953, this painting was dated c. 1936.

Published in:
Mary Chamot, Dennis Farr and Martin Butlin, The Modern British Paintings, Drawings and Sculpture, London 1964, II

Explore

You might like

Left Right
Sir Matthew Smith, ‘Still Life with Clay Figure, I’ 1939

Sir Matthew Smith Still Life with Clay Figure, I

1939
Sir Matthew Smith, ‘Peonies’ exhibited 1928

Sir Matthew Smith Peonies

exhibited 1928
Sir Matthew Smith, ‘Peaches’ 1937

Sir Matthew Smith Peaches

1937
Sir Matthew Smith, ‘Model Turning’ c.1924

Sir Matthew Smith Model Turning

c.1924
Sir Matthew Smith, ‘Fruit in a Dish’ c.1915

Sir Matthew Smith Fruit in a Dish

c.1915
Sir Matthew Smith, ‘Winter in Provence’ c.1937

Sir Matthew Smith Winter in Provence

c.1937
On display at Tate Britain part of Van Gogh and Britain
Sir Matthew Smith, ‘Cyclamen’ c.1920

Sir Matthew Smith Cyclamen

c.1920
Roy De Maistre, ‘Still Life: Fruit’ 1954

Roy De Maistre Still Life: Fruit

1954
Mary Potter, ‘Still Life’ 1959

Mary Potter Still Life

1959
Sir Matthew Smith, ‘Landscape near Antibes’ c.1930–4

Sir Matthew Smith Landscape near Antibes

c.1930–4
Sir Matthew Smith, ‘Nude, Fitzroy Street, No. 1’ 1916

Sir Matthew Smith Nude, Fitzroy Street, No. 1

1916
Ben Nicholson OM, ‘1945 (still life)’ 1945

Ben Nicholson OM 1945 (still life)

1945
On display at Tate St Ives part of Modern Art and St Ives
Sir Matthew Smith, ‘The Young Actress’ 1943

Sir Matthew Smith The Young Actress

1943
Roger Fry, ‘Still Life with T’ang Horse’ c.1919–21

Roger Fry Still Life with T’ang Horse

c.1919–21
Sir Matthew Smith, ‘Woman Reclining’ c.1925–6

Sir Matthew Smith Woman Reclining

c.1925–6