Better known today for his mixed media sculpture, Smith’s work may be compared to the writings of science fiction writer Ray Bradbury. Zeppelins, rockets, aviation motifs, and items of fantastical travel often appear in his work.

Somewhere Between Then and Now was made while Smith was a student at the University of Illinois. If you look around the edges of the image you will see the damage done to the paper by sunlight.  Museums take special measure to care for works on paper, including keeping light levels low, housing the works in the dark when not on display, and limiting the amount of time prints and drawings are exposed to light.  Ideally this print should be conserved, an expensive process that would limit further damage and restore its appearance to something closer to when it was created.