Rupert Jasen Smith

Rupert Jasen Smith Jr. (February 1951 – February 15, 1989) was an American artist who worked closely with pop artist Andy Warhol as a silkscreen printer and art director for a decade. His association with Warhol led him to collaborate with other artists, including Paul Jenkins, Frank Stella, and Robert Rauschenberg. Smith owned one of New York City's top printmaking studios and also held solo exhibitions of his artwork.

Early life and education Smith grew up in St. Lucie County, Florida, the son of an attorney, Rupert Jasen Smith Sr., and Peggy Jane Hamilton, an interior designer. His father later became a circuit judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit. His maternal uncle was James Hamilton, the scenic designer behind the award-winning sets for the musical Oliver! and other stage productions. During his first year as an art student, Smith accompanied actress Julie Christie around New York City. He began working with Warhol on his Hammer and Sickle (1977) series. Warhol allowed Smith's printer's stamp to be placed next to his signature on their collaborations, which include silkscreen portraits of Princess Grace of Monaco, Ingrid Bergman, Mickey Mouse, and Edward Kennedy. He did silkscreen paintings of actress Greta Garbo and was working on a portfolio of notable female performers such as Cher and Liza Minnelli. His work was also exhibited at the Gallery Sho in Tokyo, Gallerie Borjeson in Sweden, the Fred Dorfman Gallery in New York, and the Hokin galleries in Chicago, Miami, and Palm Beach.

Smith died a week before his 38th birthday in Fort Lauderdale of complications from AIDS on February 15, 1989. He was survived by his parents, a brother, Mark Smith, and his companion, Daniel Polaski. Smith's parents asked for donations in his memory to be made to the University of Miami School of Medicine, Clinical Immunology Lab, or the AIDS Project for Health Crisis Network.