“Driftwood,” Gerard F. Smith (American), c.1970s hand-pulled lithograph, 32.25×19.75 in, signed & numbered 136/200, coastal wildlife scene.

“Driftwood,” Gerard F. Smith (American), c.1970s hand-pulled lithograph, 32.25×19.75 in, signed & numbered 136/200, coastal wildlife scene.

“Driftwood” by Gerard F. Smith is a finely rendered, hand-pulled limited-edition lithograph capturing two shorebirds perched on sun-bleached driftwood against a radiant coastal sky. Signed and numbered 136/200, this striking vertical composition showcases Smith’s mastery of wildlife portraiture, coastal landscapes, and subtle naturalistic detail. A rare vintage print acquired from the retired Mitch Morse Gallery in New York City, it offers collectors an elegant and meditative example of mid-20th-century American wildlife art.

Artwork Description

“Driftwood” presents a beautifully composed and serene coastal vignette centered around a dramatic vertical form—a tall, weathered tree trunk shaped by tide, wind, and time. Perched at two levels are two shorebirds, each rendered with precision: a delicate, pale sandpiper stands atop the trunk, while below it rests a boldly patterned black-and-white plover. The pairing creates a natural rhythm and visual harmony that gives the image both narrative and balance.

The sky is a clear, uninterrupted expanse of blue, contrasting the organic complexity of the driftwood’s surface—knots, fissures, grain, and twisting branches. At the base, sand and grasses complete the shoreline setting, adding warmth and grounding the composition. Smith’s crisp drawing and meticulous tonal transitions make the driftwood appear sculptural and almost monumental.

This original print is a hand-drawn and hand-pulled lithograph, typical of Smith’s traditional printmaking practice, and bears the artist’s pencil signature at the lower right along with the edition number 136/200 at the lower left. At 32.25 × 19.75 inches, its tall, dramatic proportions emphasize upward motion, space, and tranquility—a hallmark of Smith’s coastal and wildlife imagery.

Biography of Gerard F. Smith

Gerard F. Smith is an American wildlife and nature artist based in Waterford, Connecticut, known for more than 30 years of painterly engagement with the natural world. His work is rooted in close observation and a deep affinity for coastal environments, marshlands, wetlands, and the diverse species that inhabit them. While he paints a wide range of animals, Smith is especially captivated by birds—seabirds, songbirds, and particularly birds of prey—admiring their form, force, and expressive presence.

Smith’s technique is noted for subtle textures, layered color, and lively patterns, often balancing representational detail with strong compositional design. His canvases and prints reflect both scientific attentiveness and artistic sensitivity, capturing not only the anatomy of wildlife but also the atmosphere, mood, and poetry of natural spaces.

His work has been exhibited extensively throughout New England, including galleries along the Connecticut shoreline, Cape Cod, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and other regional cultural centers. Smith’s paintings and prints reside in private collections across the United States and Europe, and his collectors include notable public figures such as Charlton Heston, Anthony Quinn, Clint Eastwood, and Burt Reynolds.

Corporate and institutional collections also hold his work, including the Rockefeller Foundation and Johnson & Johnson, reflecting the broad appeal of his wildlife imagery and his respected position within contemporary American nature art.

Gerard F. Smith, “Driftwood,” hand-pulled color lithograph, 32.25×19.75 in, signed lower right and numbered 136/200. Finely detailed coastal wildlife scene featuring two shorebirds perched on a vertical driftwood trunk. Excellent vintage condition; from the retired Mitch Morse Gallery, NYC.

Certificate of Value & Authentication

Artist: Gerard F. Smith
Title: Driftwood
Date: c.1970s
Medium: Hand-pulled lithograph on paper
Dimensions: 32.25 × 19.75 inches
Edition: 136/200
Signature: Hand-signed by the artist in pencil; edition number at lower left
Condition: Excellent vintage condition with only minor, expected age toning; never framed or displayed
Authenticity Statement:
This work is an original, limited-edition lithograph by Gerard F. Smith, consistent with his documented wildlife printmaking style and marked with the artist’s verified pencil signature and numbering. Sourced directly from the inventory of the retired Mitch Morse Gallery, New York City.

Provenance Chain (Collector-Formatted)

• Gerard F. Smith – artist; created and signed the lithograph
• Mitch Morse Gallery, New York, NY – acquired directly for distribution
• Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC – current owner

“Driftwood” by Gerard F. Smith is a signed, numbered (136/200) hand-pulled wildlife lithograph featuring two shorebirds perched on sculptural driftwood. A large-format coastal print from the retired Mitch Morse Gallery, offered by Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC.