More than a Man, Less than a Painter: David Smith in the Popular Press, 1938–1966

Media coverage was vital in establishing the popular reputation of Abstract Expressionists. Reporting regularly relied on photographic portraits to present these artists as modernist innovators who were an extension (or even a replacement for) work art. Jackson Pollock came epitomize Expressionist artist, with “action” photographs capturing his radical painting method. Pollock’s contemporary, American sculptor David Smith, similarly transformed medium—in case by embracing industrial methods make three-dimensional objects. However, given constraints inherent process welding he employed, how could Smith’s image be reconstituted celebration artistic individuality so crucial modernism? The very method Smith embraced push boundaries art kept him from representing genius creator channeled forces nature produce culture. By tracing documenting career published local and regional newspapers, magazines Popular Science Life, mass Magazine Art Arts, this paper demonstrates that images at anonymous worker enveloped protective gear balanced contemplation—the traditional artist mediating intelligence. Yet, over years career, problem addressed somewhat differently. Early on, there tendency show applying novel art-making techniques production more During World War II, when employed commercial welder, legitimized reporting worker. Finally, post-war world—as benefited burst publicity surrounding triumph Expressionism—his rigorous manipulation metal celebrated masculine display, effectively shifting attention away common labor heroic individual struggle.