Who painted African Hospitality?

African Hospitality was painted by John Raphael Smith in 1791.

Where can I see African Hospitality?

African Hospitality is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is African Hospitality?

African Hospitality is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

African Hospitality

John Raphael Smith , 1791

African Hospitality is an ink print by the Romanticist artist John Raphael Smith. It dates from 1791 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

It's an old print, made with a technique that involves scratching a metal plate.

This painting shows a scene of people gathered together.
It's an old print, made with a technique that involves scratching a metal plate.
The artist made this in 1791, and it's interesting because it's one of the few works we have from this time period with this title, which suggests a story or theme that was important to the artist.
To learn more about similar prints, look up the technique: chiaroscuro.

Overview

African Hospitality is a 1791 print created by John Raphael Smith using the mezzotint technique on laid paper. It is a representation of a gathering, showcasing the artist's exploration of cultural themes.

Technique & Style

The print is an example of mezzotint, a reproductive technique popular in Britain at the time, involving the scratching of a metal plate to achieve tonal variations, related to the chiaroscuro style that emphasizes contrasts between light and dark.

Subject & Meaning

The scene depicts African figures in a moment of hospitality, reflecting the era's interest in diverse cultural themes and narratives, with the title suggesting a specific story or moral context.

History & Provenance

Created in 1791 by John Raphael Smith, a British painter and mezzotinter, and member of a family of artists, including his father Thomas Smith and son John Rubens Smith.

Artist & collection

Artist

John Raphael Smith

John Raphael Smith (25 May 1751 – 2 March 1812) was a British painter and mezzotinter. He was the son of the landscape painter Thomas Smith and the father of John Rubens Smith, a painter who emigrated to the United States.