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Shop the 18 Most Famous David Smith Paintings
Updated oktober 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 19 works by David Smith in our catalogue
Quick answer
Untitled (1964) is David Smith's best-known painting. Hudson River Landscape (1951) ranks second, Cubi i third. Our catalogue has 19 works by David Smith; here are the 18 most famous, ranked, with the year and museum of each, to help you pick the one to order.
1906 – 1965, Decatur
Abstract expressionism
Most works: Whitney Museum of American Art
David Smith: the 10 top-ranked paintings
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David Smith, ranks 11 to 18
Museums holding David Smith's originals
The museum that holds the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by David Smith | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Whitney Museum of American Art |
New York | 1 | Hudson River Landscape |
Top David Smith paintings by year
14 years, 1951 to 1964: browse the dated David Smith paintings year by year and compare the top works of each.
Works per year
Select a year to see its paintings.
What to know about David Smith paintings
Which famous David Smith painting tops the ranking?Show answer
Untitled (1964) ranks first, followed by Hudson River Landscape (1951) and Cubi i.
How old was David Smith in the year of Untitled?Show answer
David Smith was 58: Untitled is dated 1964, and David Smith was born in 1906.
Which David Smith paintings make the top 10?Show answer
Untitled, Hudson River Landscape, Cubi i, Three planes, N08744 46 lr, Saw head, (1933), 5 And A Half (Use Half Sign), Suspended cube, Untitled and Zig iv. Year and museum for each are in the ranking above.
How many David Smith works does your catalogue list?Show answer
19 works by David Smith are in our catalogue, dated 1951 to 1964.
Where can the originals of David Smith's famous paintings be seen?Show answer
Mainly in Whitney Museum of American Art (New York). See the museum table above for the full list.
Which famous David Smith paintings are the earliest and the latest?Show answer
Earliest on this page: Hudson River Landscape (1951). Latest: Untitled (1964).
Which art movement is David Smith part of?Show answer
Abstract expressionism, based on the paintings ranked on this page.
David Smith: life and career
The Sculptural Vision of David Smith
Born in Decatur, United States, David Smith was a sculptor, painter, designer, photographer, artist, writer, and visual artist. His creative journey involved studying at Ohio University and Notre Dame, and he worked on the assembly line of the Studebaker automobile factory in South Bend, Indiana. After moving to New York in 1926, he studied at the Art Students League of New York. During the Great Depression, he participated in the Works Progress Administration’s Federal Art Project. Smith later moved to Bolton Landing, New York, where he operated a studio. During World War II, he worked as a welder for the American Locomotive Company in Schenectady, New York.
His sculptural work is characterized by the use of industrial steel, which he manipulated using an oxyacetylene torch to weld metal. He often created unique works by cutting, plugging, flattening, pinching, and bending steel bars. His output included various series, such as the Agricolas and the Cubi series, which featured stainless steel. In his later years, he utilized spray paint to create stenciled shapes. Beyond sculpture, Smith produced drawings and paintings, including a series known as the Last Nudes.
Notable Works and Exhibitions
Smith's body of work includes several recognized pieces, such as:
His work has been featured in numerous exhibitions globally, including the Venice Biennale and the São Paulo Bienal. His sculptures have been held in collections such as the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York.