MORTIMER SMITH: HOME LATE.

MORTIMER SMITH:  HOME LATE

by Joan K. Yanni

Mortimer Smith's Home Late (75.139), expertly restored and returned to the Gallery's American painting section, was painted in 1866.  It shows a young boy entering his home at a late hour with his skates in his hand.  The moonlit, wintry evening seen through the open door contrasts with the warm, though humble, interior.  The cabin is candle-lit, with simple, frontier furniture; some meat, which is curing, and a flint-lock rifle hang from the ceiling.  The boy’s father is lighting his pipe with an ember from the fireplace, and careful looking will reveal a dog and cat in the darkness.  There is a basket with knitting on the table near the door—indicating the presence of woman in the family.

Home Late is Smith's first known painting.  Only four paintings have been located out of a possible 48 listed in his probate will.  The curious awkwardness in the proportions of the figures in Home Late suggests that the artist was self taught.  Smith was born in Jamestown, NY, moved to Detroit in 1855, and became well known for his home scenes and winter landscapes.  He was an avid photographer, and a number of his paintings may have been created from photographs he made.  Smith was most prominent as a Detroit architect, however, and it is assumed he was trained in his father's firm.  Architecture was his vocation, painting his avocation

Home Late

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