Philippe Smit (17 November 1886 – 5 July 1948) was a Dutch painter active primarily in France and the Netherlands.BS Geboorte met Philippus Jacobus Johannes Smit Birth certificate, Historisch Centrum Overijssel archives, Netherlands; population register Amsterdam entry for Philippe Smit, Amsterdam City Archives (accessed 3 July 2025). He was born in Zwolle, Netherlands, and died in Thoury-Férottes, France. His technically refined work, often described as lyrical or spiritual, remained largely unknown to the general public, although it has been praised by art critics(nl) Anton Zelling, « Philippe Smit », De Hofstad : artistiek weekblad voor Nederland, 15 April 1916, p. 1–2, (access via philippesmit.com)(nl) Kasper Niehaus, « Philippe Smit: Kunsthandel 'de Heem', Laren », De Telegraaf, 7 octobre 1920, p. 7 (access via delpher.nl) and private collectors.Art Collecting, 1930-1967, Series 2. Theodore Pitcairn Family Papers, Mss.005.089. Academy of the New Church Archives. [...] contains documents relating to Theodore Pitcairn's art collection and his patronage of Philippe Smit. [...], The Bryn Athyn Historic District Archives at Glencairn Museum, ArchivesSpace"People around Philippe Smit: Nicolaas Huibertus Urban", The Complete Works of Philippe Smit

Biography Philippe Smit was born in Zwolle into a Franco-Dutch family. In 1895, his family moved to Paris, where he received a French education. Early on, he developed a passion for Symbolist poetry (Verlaine, Baudelaire, Mallarmé, Rollinat) and the music of Claude Debussy, both of which would deeply influence his artistic sensibility.

Caught in the Netherlands at the outbreak of World War I, he stayed there until 1920, hosted by patrons Nicolaas and Berendina Urban. In 1921, he met the American collector Theodore Pitcairn, who became his primary patron. Invited by Pitcairn, Smit made several extended visits to the United States, notably in 1924, where he painted portraits for the Church of the New Jerusalem (Swedenborgian).Winfred Hyatt, «  », The Bulletin (Bryn Athyn), vol. 13, no 2, November 1924, p. 33–34, 42–43

In 1940, Smit married Berendina Urban,Etat civil, 16 October 1940, Archives communautaires Pau Béarn, Pyrénées, 1 E 1-470 ; 2 E 1-6 who had divorced in 1929. From the 1930s, they lived at the Château de La Motte in Thoury-Ferrottes (Seine-et-Marne), where Smit continued working until his death in 1948.

Work Philippe Smit developed an eclectic and highly personal style, often described as “impressionist realism” or “mystical symbolism.” He was influenced by Jean-François Millet, Impressionists like Monet and Van Gogh, as well as by Odilon Redon. According to a 2017 article in Fine Art Connoisseur,Andrew Webster, “His Day Has Come”, Fine Art Connoisseur, May 2017 (accessed 3 July 2025) Smit favored pastel, which he handled with “rich and intense colour,” and produced works imbued with spiritual overtones.

His art reflects an inner search shaped by poetry, music, and the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg. He painted portraits, still lifes, and landscapes, especially of the Seine and the Forest of Fontainebleau. Remaining outside the major artistic movements of his time, Smit received limited recognition during his lifetime.Martha Gyllenhaal, The Art of Philippe Smit, Directed Research, Temple University, USA, Revisé par l'auteur, Bryn Athyn, PA, College, 2014, 2000 (access via philippesmit.com)

Exhibitions and critical reception

Smit’s first public exhibition took place in 1916 at the Larensche Kunsthandel in Amsterdam, featuring 38 works. Art critic Anton Zelling praised the poetic and spiritual qualities of his pastels in De Hofstad, writing that Smit’s works "unite music, poetry, and religion."(nl) Anton Zelling, « Philippe Smit », De Hofstad : artistiek weekblad voor Nederland, 15 April 1916, p. 1–2, (access via philippesmit.com)

In 1920, the Kunsthandel De Hem in Laren hosted his second solo exhibition, where critic Kasper Niehaus highlighted his technical skill and his ability to elevate natural forms without compromising realism. In Het Getij (1922), Niehaus described Smit as a rare talent, "still too little known."(nl) Kasper Niehaus, "Philippe Smit", Het Getij. Maandschrift voor kunst en letteren, vol. VII, 1922, p. 80–84 (Erfgoedbibliotheek Hendrik Conscience)

In 1923, a solo exhibition was held at Atelier De Sparren in Laren. This marked the peak of his visibility in the Netherlands, culminating in a group exhibition organized by art dealer Jacques Goudstikker in Amsterdam in 1933.Tentoonstelling van moderne kunst [Goudstikker, dec. 1933]: https://rkd.nl/library/51952

In February 1948, shortly before his death, Smit exhibited for the first time in France at the Galerie Pierre Maures in Paris. More than thirty works were presented.R.D., "Au long des cimaises", L'Aube, 11 February 1948, p. 2 (accessed via gallica.fr) on 3 July 2025)

Posthumous exhibitions followed in the United States, including a major retrospective in 1957 at the Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts in Springfield, organized by Theodore Pitcairn.(nl) Kasper Niehaus, "Philippe Smit, tegenpool der abstracte Kunst", De Telegraaf, 8 January 1958, p. 7 (access via delpher.nl)Wayne C. Smith, Wayne, "Dutch Artist's Paintings at Museum of Fine Arts." The Springfield Sunday Republican, 08-12-1957, p. 17C. (accessed via newspapers.com on 5 July 2025) His collection was also shown at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in 1960.Denis Leon, "Smit works featured at museum", The Philadelphia Inquirer, 19 juin 1960, p. 105 (accessed via https://www.newspapers.com on 3 July 2025) From 10 February to 10 May 2026, the Musée d'Orsay presented the three recently acquired pastels as part of an exhibition display entitled Northern Light: Scandinavian and Dutch Drawings from the Musée d'Orsay.

Legacy Most of Philippe Smit’s works remain in private collections. A significant number are held by The Lord’s New Church in the United States.

His work is also part of the permanent collections of several public institutions:

Musée d’Orsay, Paris: Clair de lune, Maartensdijk (1916),"Clair de lune, Maartensdijk", Musée d’Orsay, Paris (accessed on 3 July 2025) Bouquet de fleurs des champs (c. 1913),"Bouquet de fleurs des champs", Musée d'Orsay, Paris (accessed on 3 July 2025) and Jeune fille dans un lit (c. 1913),"Jeune fille dans un lit", Musée d'Orsay, Paris (accessed 3 on July 2025) all acquired in 2024. Musée des impressionnismes Giverny, France (Scene in the Park, before 1915) Singer Laren Museum, Netherlands (Willlows, 1917)(nl) Florence Castellani and Andreas Narzt, edited by Anne van Lienden, curator at Singer Laren, "Philippe Smit: vergeten schilder die opnieuw aandacht krijgt", Kwartaalbericht, vol. 155, January 2021 (read online) Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts, Springfield, USA (L’Innocent, 1920) Glencairn Museum, Bryn Athyn, USA

External links

The complete works of Philippe Smit – catalogue raisonné Biografisch portaal van nederland RKDartists

References