He'd returned with art in short supply (6)
I believe the answer is:
dearth
'in short supply' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'he'd returned with art' is the wordplay.
'returned' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'with' is an insertion indicator.
'hed' in reverse letter order is 'deh'.
'deh' enclosing 'art' is 'DEARTH'.
(Other definitions for dearth that I've seen before include "Severe lack" , "deficiency" , "From shortage of food" , "Scarceness or lack" , "poverty" .)