Friedman, Ben :: Featured Artist — Smith, Dan

Dan Smith -- How We Caught the Beautiful Rainbow Boa (1921)

Artist: Dan Smith (All)

19 Comments - 4,188 Views - 6 Likes

Dan Smith -- How We Caught the Beautiful Rainbow Boa (1921) Comic Art

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Previous Item:
Dan Smith — Lays and Lyrics (1910)

Artwork Details

Title:	Dan Smith -- How We Caught the Beautiful Rainbow Boa (1921)
Artist:	Dan Smith (All)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Illustration
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	4,188
Likes on CAF:	6 7
Favorited on CAF:	5
Comments:	19
Added to Site:	1/4/2014
Comic Art Archive:

Description

Dan Smith was an incredible artist -- using an innovative dry brush technique to create gorgeous images, most notably in the 1920's. He worked out of Philadelphia and was a contemporary of J.C. Coll's. A few years ago few people had heard of Smith, but there is now a resurgence in his popularity, due in large part to Al Williamson who for years touted Smith as a genius, and more recently Mark Schultz, who is a huge fan. This piece was published in newspapers in 1921 (see photo of published version below). Big thanks to Neil and Leigh Mechem for allowing me to purchase this amazing piece!

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About the Owner

	Ben Friedman Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	February 2006
Last Login:	September 2025
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Premium Member Q&A Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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Comments on this Artwork

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Ray Cuthbert
Member Since 2003

Posted on 1/4/2014

Lovely work! Dan Smith's work is fabulous!

Michael One Minute Later
Member Since 2005

Posted on 1/4/2014

Smith's popularity should grow exponentially with your posting!

frank x townsondecker
Member Since 2006

Posted on 1/4/2014

FANTASTIC!

Eric F
Member Since 2009

Posted on 1/4/2014

Superbe !

Dan Hampton
Member Since 2012

Posted on 1/5/2014

I think Williamson was right!

Knave Musikspieler
Member Since 2009

Posted on 1/14/2014

This is gorgeous! Particularly love the line work in those knickers!! How large is this?

Ben Friedman
Member Since 2006

Posted on 1/14/2014

Knave Musikspieler wrote:

This is gorgeous! Particularly love the line work in those knickers!! How large is this?

Thanks, Evan! Art is large -- 18" x 17".

John Livesay
Member Since 2009

Posted on 2/5/2014

nice!!

Scott Williams
Member Since 2004

Posted on 2/6/2014

I'm gobsmacked and embarrassed to admit that I have been unfamiliar with Dan Smith's work. Thank you for this revelation! Astounding!

David K
Member Since 2008

Posted on 5/17/2015

You have something so special here... wow!!!

Brian Peck
Member Since 2003

Posted on 3/14/2018

Fantastic! I was turned onto Dan's work by MArk Schultz and recently added something by Dan to my collection. These are rare gems very hard to find. Congrats!

George Hagenauer
Member Since 2005

Posted on 3/24/2018

A really nice example of Smith's art

Bill J
Member Since 2009

Posted on 11/2/2018

So beautiful! Love his technique! Just a great pick-up!

steve staszower
Member Since 2005

Posted on 7/6/2019

Beautiful!!

Thomas Ward
Member Since 2004

Posted on 5/29/2021

Another wonderful example in your collection, love Dan Smith's artwork!!!

Knave Musikspieler
Member Since 2009

Posted on 10/18/2022

Visiting again today... couldn't help but notice how much Jae Lee's current style mimicks much of the shading here.

When will the Friedman Museum be open for viewings? :)

Bill J
Member Since 2009

Posted on 8/24/2023

Phenomenal illustration by Dan Smith. This art is so full of life and energy. I love Smith's rendering of the women capturing the rainbow boa. The linework is superb, especially in the foliage and the women's clothing. The boa itself is finely detailed and I love the elaborate crosshatching that recreates the patterned skin of the snake. Everything about this illustration is exquisitely drawn and inked. You can see why Al Williamson and Mark Schultz are such big fans!

George Hagenauer
Member Since 2005

Posted on 12/9/2023

Love Dan Smith - amazing linework and I thin khe was pretty old a t this point -these are also huge pieces

Bennett Pisek
Member Since 2003

Posted on 8/17/2024

This is gorgeous!!! Curious, is this all brush, or is there some Nib inking in there? Brush can definitely create this, just seeing some details that look like they might be by Nibs.

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