Career
Smith is believed to have been influenced by Dutch Golden Age painting, based on his use of light and shadow which was manipulated to show emotion and expression in his portrait. The distant sea battle is a Baroque touch, representing the painter"s earthly victories, whereas the skull represents memento mori. Smith wears Puritancal "sadd" clothing, which may represent Smith"s own self-questioning and negativity.
The painting also includes the following poem, signed Thomas Stearns (Hughes, 35), and represents vanity:.