David Smith

American, 1906 - 1965

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The sculpture is an abstract geometric piece comprised of metallic beams intersecting in a dynamic configuration. The beams are silver and reflective, with lines and swirls of light on their faces. The structure is composed of square tubes and cylinders balanced on one another and extending outwards. On the left, one of the beams is balanced on a small cube made out of the same reflective material, which is turned on its side. The sculpture is set outdoors on a grassy area surrounded by shrubs and trees, positioned in front of a large building with columns visible in the background.
David Smith, Cubi XXVI, 1965, stainless steel, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1978.14.1

Cubi XXVI

David Smith · 1965 · stainless steel ·  Accession ID  1978.14.1
Made with sheets of painted steel, an orange ring stands upright on a narrow white base in this freestanding sculpture. A black strip and a gray strip are affixed to the edges of the ring. The black strip is horizontal across the top of the circle, attached to the back side of the ring, and the narrower but longer gray strip is angled across the top right quarter of the circle. The sculpture is photographed near a wall clad with pale pinkish-gray marble and a similarly colored floor.
David Smith, Circle I, 1962, painted steel, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1977.60.1

Circle I

David Smith · 1962 · painted steel ·  Accession ID  1977.60.1
The artwork titled "Circle III" features a large, circular sculpture with a hollow center. The main body of the sculpture is painted orange and is mounted on a sturdy base. Extending from the top of the circle are two green, curved, rectangular shapes. The sculpture is positioned indoors against a backdrop of light-colored, rectangular stone tiles. The piece is freestanding and balances on a metal base.
David Smith, Circle III, 1962, painted steel, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1977.60.3

Circle III

David Smith · 1962 · painted steel ·  Accession ID  1977.60.3
Made with sheets of painted steel, a red ring stands upright on a narrow black base in this freestanding sculpture. A black strip and a white strip are affixed to the edges of the ring. An inward-facing cup-shaped lip at the bottom right side of the circle is lined with black along the inner edge and painted white where it encloses space on the otherwise red ring. The black rectangular strip, which would be about the same height as the ring if stood alongside it, is affixed to the left center of the face of the ring almost vertically. The longer white strip is affixed to the back side of the ring and angles from near the top of the black strip down and to the right. The sculpture is photographed near a wall clad with pale pinkish-gray marble and a similarly colored floor.
David Smith, Circle II, 1962, painted steel, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1977.60.2

Circle II

David Smith · 1962 · painted steel ·  Accession ID  1977.60.2
This iron, freestanding sculpture consists of two wheels connected by an upward curving axle, an abstract, carriage-like structure, and five wavy lines standing upright along the top. The wheels each have six spokes and thin rims. In this photograph, the upside-down, U-shaped axle is bolted to the left end of a horizontal strip of iron, which ends to the right with an oval loop. That end of the strip is supported by a tall, narrow, wedge-shaped piece of iron. Five thin iron strips are spaced evenly across the horizontal bar. The top edges are rounded, and they curve in shallow, angular S shapes. The sculpture stands on a pale pink, polished marble floor against a wall with textured gray marble blocks. The scale of the space shows that the sculpture is at least as tall as an average person.
David Smith, Voltri VII, 1962, iron, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1977.60.4

Voltri VII

David Smith · 1962 · iron ·  Accession ID  1977.60.4
The image shows a collection of curving lines and shapes forming an abstract composition. Thick, dark lines create intricate patterns that suggest a human form at rest, with arms and legs folded in a dynamic, flowing manner. The central curved lines resemble an arm resting on a knee and include hand-like shapes at one end. The simplicity and fluidity of the lines evoke the essence of the human form without distinct detail.
David Smith, Untitled, 1964, enamel on canvas, Gift of Candida and Rebecca Smith, in Honor of the 50th Anniversary of the National Gallery of Art, 1991.56.1

Untitled

David Smith · 1964 · enamel on canvas ·  Accession ID  1991.56.1
The image features circular and oval shapes sprayed onto a dark speckled background, divided by a thick horizontal line. The shapes resemble primitive facial features or symbols, with two larger circles connected by the line and smaller solid ovals resembling eyes or details within those circles.
David Smith, Untitled, 1963, enamel spray paint on wove paper, Gift of Candida and Rebecca Smith, in Honor of the 50th Anniversary of the National Gallery of Art, 1991.56.7

Untitled

David Smith · 1963 · enamel spray paint on wove paper ·  Accession ID  1991.56.7
The image shows white shapes and lines on a dark, speckled background. The shapes range from elongated lines to irregular pieces and small circular forms. The composition appears chaotic, resembling scattered pieces on a dimly lit surface.
David Smith, Untitled, 1962, enamel spray paint on wove paper, Gift of Candida and Rebecca Smith, in Honor of the 50th Anniversary of the National Gallery of Art, 1991.56.8

Untitled

David Smith · 1962 · enamel spray paint on wove paper ·  Accession ID  1991.56.8
The image consists of bold, sweeping black strokes and lines crisscrossing the canvas, creating a dynamic composition. The artwork is abstract and reminiscent of tangled branches or a dense thicket, with overlapping lines resembling entwined vines or lively brushstrokes. Darker areas contrast with lighter gaps, creating a complex and vigorous abstract landscape.
David Smith, Untitled (9/3/59), 1959, brush and black ink on wove paper, Gift of Candida and Rebecca Smith, in Honor of the 50th Anniversary of the National Gallery of Art, 1991.56.4

Untitled (9/3/59)

David Smith · 1959 · brush and black ink on wove paper ·  Accession ID  1991.56.4
Bold black strokes and lines twist and curl across the paper, creating a sense of dynamic motion. The shapes resemble twisting frames and swirling forms. The composition is complex with energetic interactions between the lines and shapes.
David Smith, Untitled (September 13, 1958), 1958, black ink with egg yolk, white gouache, and graphite on wove paper, Gift of Candida and Rebecca Smith, in Honor of the 50th Anniversary of the National Gallery of Art, 1991.56.6

Untitled (September 13, 1958)

David Smith · 1958 · black ink with egg yolk, white gouache, and graphite on wove paper ·  Accession ID  1991.56.6