De Cost Smith

De Cost Smith was an American artist renowned for his accurate depictions of Native American life and culture. Born in Skaneateles, New York, Smith’s deep connection to the indigenous peoples of the region, especially the Onondaga tribe, shaped his artistic journey. He studied at the New York School of Art and the Académie Julian in Paris, where his early Indian paintings were displayed in the Salon. Inspired by George De Forest Brush and his own experiences with Native Americans, Smith traveled extensively, painting and documenting numerous tribes. Fluent in several Native American dialects, he created many illustrated articles for Outing Magazine and other major publications. A member of the American Ethnological Society and Salmagundi Club, his work can be found in the American Museum of Natural History and the Museum of the American Indian. Smith’s legacy lies in his authentic portrayal of Native American life.