Hughie Lee-Smith (American, 1915-1999). Boy with a Flute. Oil on canvas. 36 x 48 inches (91.4 x 121.9 cm). Signed upper ...

Description

Hughie Lee-Smith (American, 1915-1999)
Boy with a Flute
Oil on canvas
36 x 48 inches (91.4 x 121.9 cm)
Signed upper left: Lee-Smith

PROVENANCE:
The artist;
Grand Central Art Galleries, New York, 1973;
Beverly Brager, New York;
Private collection, acquired from the above, 1989.

EXHIBITED:
Grand Central Art Galleries, New York, "Lee-Smith, Paintings and Drawings," January 16-27, 1973.

Hughie Lee-Smith is renowned for his highly realistic and somewhat surreal paintings of figures in desolate urban landscapes that are fraught with psychological tension; The artist stated: "In the 1960s, I began to lose my youthful dream of a better world-free of racism, free of the threat of instantaneous cremation of the bomb-and feed on a slow burning disillusionment. As a consequence, my work turned inward, and I began to seek some sort of essence to it all."

Lee-Smith was born in Eustis, Florida and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He received early artistic training at the Karamu House, the Cleveland School of Art (later renamed the Cleveland Institute of Art), and the Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts School.
From 1938 to 1939 Lee-Smith was employed by the Ohio Federal Arts Project. After serving in the United States Navy during World War II, he used funds from the G.I. Bill to earn his B.S. from Wayne State University in Detroit (1953).

Inspired by the urban blight he encountered in Detroit, Lee-Smith created compelling scenes of desolation and isolation, such as Boy with a Flute. Although his enigmatic work garnered critical recognition at group exhibitions and won numerous prizes, he largely supported himself by teaching in a variety of settings. He left the Midwest in 1958 for New York, living in the East Village while teaching in the Princeton, New Jersey school system. From 1969 to 1971, he was artist-in-residence and then acting art department chair at Howard University, during a period when the Black Arts Movement was in ascendancy. Lee-Smith also spent fifteen years as an instructor at the Art Students League.

In the 1960s, Lee-Smith began to exhibit regularly at the National Academy of Design, earned several awards, and was made a full academician in 1967, becoming only the second African American after Henry O. Tanner to earn this honor. Despite a lengthy list of exhibitions at commercial galleries and museums, it was not until 1988 that Lee-Smith was given a full-fledged retrospective. Lee-Smith's work is represented in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Detroit Institute of Art, and Howard University, among others.




*Heritage Auctions strives to provide as much information as possible but encourages in-person inspection by bidders. Statements regarding the condition of objects are only for general guidance and should not be relied upon as complete statements of fact, and do not constitute a representation, warranty or assumption of liability by Heritage. Some condition issues may not be noted in the condition report but are apparent in the provided photos which are considered part of the condition report. Please note that we do not de-frame lots estimated at $1,000 or less and may not be able to provide additional details for lots valued under $500. Heritage does not guarantee the condition of frames and shall not be liable for any damage/scratches to frames, glass/acrylic coverings, original boxes, display accessories, or art that has slipped in frames. All lots are sold "AS IS" under the Terms & Conditions of Auction.