John Smith
19th-century British art historian and art dealer
About John Smith
Lived 1781 – 1855 (aged 73–74). John Smith was a British art collector, art dealer, writer, wood carver and art historian.
John Smith (1781–1855) was a 19th-century British art dealer who developed the concept of the catalogue raisonné.
Smith was born in London. He began dealing in art as a framemaker, specializing in wood-carving and gilding. He became an art dealer and art consultant known for his "reasoned catalog" of painters that he wrote in 8 volumes and sold by subscription to his art clients during the years 1829 to 1837, and to which he added a 9th volume as a supplement in 1842.
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Important facts
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People whose lives overlapped John Smith's
Frequently asked questions
Who was John Smith?
19th-century British art historian and art dealer (1781-1855)
When was John Smith born?
John Smith was born in 1781 in London.
When did John Smith die?
John Smith died in 1855 in Hanwell.
What was John Smith's occupation?
John Smith was an art collector, art dealer, writer, wood carver and art historian.
What nationality was John Smith?
John Smith was British.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: John Smith (art historian)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Smith. https://biography.guide/john-smith-art-collector/
MLA: "John Smith." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-smith-art-collector/.
Chicago: "John Smith." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-smith-art-collector/.
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