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David Smith: The 18 Most Famous Paintings, Documented
Updated October 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 19 works by David Smith in our catalogue
Summary
According to this ranking, Untitled (1964) is the most famous painting by David Smith. It is followed by Hudson River Landscape (1951) and Cubi i. This list draws on the 19 works by David Smith in the catalogue and records the 18 most famous, with date, holding museum and description for each entry.
1906 – 1965, Decatur
Abstract expressionism
Most works: Whitney Museum of American Art
David Smith: top 10 entries of the list
David Smith: list continued, 11 to 18
David Smith: holding museums
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 |
David Smith by year: the most famous paintings
David Smith's dated works on this page belong to the 14 years between 1951 and 1964, recorded below year by year.
Works per year
Select a year to display its principal paintings.
David Smith: questions and documented answers
Which David Smith painting heads the list of most famous works?Display the answer
Untitled (1964). The following entries are Hudson River Landscape (1951) and Cubi i.
What age had David Smith reached when Untitled was painted?Display the answer
58 years: David Smith was born in 1906 and Untitled is dated 1964.
Which works make up the top 10 of David Smith?Display the 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. The list above records the date and holding museum of each.
How many works by David Smith are recorded?Display the answer
The catalogue records 19 works by David Smith, dated between 1951 and 1964.
In which collections are David Smith's most famous works held?Display the answer
Principally in Whitney Museum of American Art (New York). The museum table above gives the full distribution.
Which dated works by David Smith are the earliest and the latest here?Display the answer
The earliest dated work listed here is Hudson River Landscape (1951); the latest is Untitled (1964).
Which art movement does David Smith represent?Display the answer
Abstract expressionism, as documented by the works on this page.
David Smith: life and work
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.