Preliminary identification
Photo reference
1 uploaded photo
Overview
This is a beautifully atmospheric, limited-edition etching titled 'Frozen Creek' by American artist Herbert L. Smith, dated 1971. Numbered 3/50, it captures a stark, wintry landscape with dense, tangled bare branches overhanging a partially frozen waterway. The print showcases a masterful use of aquatint and drypoint techniques to create deep, velvety blacks and subtle tonal gradations.
Story
In 1971, amidst the loud, colorful explosion of Pop Art, Herbert L. Smith chose a quiet, introspective path. This print captures the silent chill of a winter creek, turning a simple American landscape into a deeply poetic meditation on solitude.
Maker / Origin
Herbert L. Smith was an accomplished American printmaker and educator active in the mid-to-late 20th century. Known for his technical mastery of intaglio processes, his works often explore the quiet, overlooked corners of the natural world. His prints are held in several regional museum collections and university archives, celebrated for their moody, atmospheric qualities.
Condition & Value
The print appears to be in very good condition, housed under glass with a clean mat. There is no obvious foxing, staining, or waving of the paper visible in the photo, though it has not been examined outside the frame. Excellent preservation of the paper and ink tone supports the higher end of the value range.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.