AUSTRALIAN urban landscape artist Jeffrey Smart has died in Italy.

Stuart Purves, one of Smart's agents in Australia, said he ''slowly and surely faded away'' and passed away at a hospital near his home at Arezzo overnight.

His partner Ermes De Zan was with him when he died.

Smart was in his early 90s.

Smart was known for his precisionist depictions of urban landscapes.

Mr Purves said Smart was much-loved by all generations of artists and had left a great legacy.

Smart moved to Italy about 50 years ago to be ``near the world's great culture'', he said.

He said Smart announced a couple of years ago that his painting was ``in abeyance'' as he felt he didn't have the energy left.

Mr Purves said Smart had been in and out of hospital over the last few months and many had not expected him to live so long.

He said the artist lived a full life and was a slow and cautious painter who produced a small number of works every couple of years.

``I think he was one of the great milestones in our cultural well-being, a really significant person in that regard,'' he said.

Smart was born in Adelaide where he attended art school.

He used to have a regular spot on ABC radio, appearing on The Argonauts as their art critic, going by the name of Phidias.

His role was to discuss great artists and their works and to advise young listeners who sent in paintings and drawings for his appraisal.

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