John Rubens Smith (1775–1849): Documenting America’s Dawn Through Observation and Instruction John Rubens Smith (1775–1849) was a London-born artist who profoundly shaped the visual landscape of early America, primarily through his meticulous depictions of landscapes and portraits—a remarkable feat considering the nascent state of photography at the time. Born in 1775, Smith's artistic journey began under the tutelage of his father, John Raphael Smith, a celebrated mezzotint engraver who instilled in him an appreciation for tonal printmaking techniques – skills that would prove invaluable th…