Matthew Smith

Sir Matthew Smith, CBE (22 October 1879 – 29 September 1959) was a British painter of nudes, still-life and landscape. He studied design at the Manchester School of Art and art at the Slade School of Art. Smith studied under Henri Matisse in Paris and acquired an interest in Fauvism. During World War I, he was wounded at the Battle of Passchendaele. In 1949, Smith was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). He was knighted in 1954.

He married Gwen Salmond and their relationship broke up when he entered into an affair with Vera Cuningham. Smith lived, worked, and exhibited in England and France.

Early life Matthew Arnold Bracy Smith was born on 22 October 1879 in Halifax, West Yorkshire to Frederic and Frances Smith. His father was a wire-manufacturer and musician who invited visiting musicians to his home. Matthew went to Giggleswick School. They married and had two sons together. The marriage was short and it was Salmond who raised the boys, Both sons served in the Royal Air Force during World War II and were killed during the war.

Smith met fellow artist Vera Cuningham in 1922 or 1923 and moved to Paris, where they lived at 6 bis Villa Brune. The British Museum states that they both exhibited in 1922 at the Société des Artistes Indépendants and at the Amis de Montparnasse. Smith and Cuningham were in Woolhope, near Hereford, in 1932. Smith's paintings of Vera between 1923 and 1926 include Vera Cuningham, Head and Shoulders, Vera Cuningham in a Chair, Vera Reclining in a Pink Slip, and Vera in a Yellow Dress, all of which are in the Corporation of London Collection. She died in 1955.

Career Smith stayed in France until the outbreak of World War I in 1914, which prevented him from returning to England, but was able later to get to Cornwall, England. The family summered in Cornwall in 1920. He lived and painted landscapes in St Columb Major by the autumn of 1920. The following year he lived in Brittany, Paris and London. He then spent the winter with his family in Grez, Oise, France.

His first one-person show was at Tooth's Gallery, London, in 1926. He had shows at London Group, the Carnegie International Exhibition, Lefevre Gallery, and Mayor Gallery. His works were bought by Roger Fry and the Tate Gallery.

In 1944, "The Penguin Modern Painters" paperback series printed an illustrated biography written by Philip Hendy which included his works.

His work was shown at the Venice Biennale in 1938 and 1950. In 1949 he was awarded a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE). He was knighted in 1954.

Death He died on 29 September 1959, in London.