Rupert Jasen Smith was born in 1953 in New Jersey and died in 1988. He was raised in Palm beach, Florida. Smith received his bachelor of arts degree from Pratt Institute, New York City in 1973, in painting and printmaking.
In 1974, Smith met Andy Warhol and assisted him with his hand-painted flowers editions. Smith was accepted formally by Warhol as his master printer and art director. Their collaborations expanded and Rupert worked with contemporary notables including Robert Rauschenberg, Jenkins, Frank Stella, Jasper Johns, and John Lennon.
In 1975, Smith worked on the Merce Cunningham set for “Summer Space” designed by Rauschenberg and Johns. While continuing his position with Warhol, Smith devoted more time to developing his own art career and had numerous shows in prominent galleries, both in the U.S. and Europe. A partial list of private collectors of his work prior to his death included Julie Christie, Halston, Mick Jagger, Grace Jones, John Lennon, Rauschenberg, and Warhol.