Edwin Smith

Edwin Smith

1919 – 1971

Edwin Smith was a critically acclaimed photographer, hailed by Sir John Betjeman as genius of photography and by Cecil Beaton as; ‘an understanding and loving connoisseur of his subject’.

A sensitivity which we see in his paintings as well as his remarkable photography. He considered himself first and foremost a visual artist in different media, particularly painting.

He initially trained as an architect before turning to photography, publishing several books on English architecture and churches with his wife Olive Cook. They were both actively associated with the Great Bardfield group of artists, a community which included Edward Bawden, John Aldridge and Michael Rothenstein amongst many ohers, an exciting an innovative group of artists.

Edwin Smith was also a good friend of Cedric Morris and spent time at Benton End at the East Anglian School of painting, Cedric Morris encouraged Olive Cook to develop her distinctive style of painting, studying for some time with Cedric Morris.

Edwin Smith

Works by the Artist