'Fall Landscape, Indiana' by Derk Smit, Art Institute of Chicago, Laguna Beach, Mid-Century Impressionist Oil

Description

Signed lower right, "Derk Smit" (American, 1889-1985) and painted circa 1950.

An Impressionist oil landscape showing a view of trees … more Signed lower right, "Derk Smit" (American, 1889-1985) and painted circa 1950.

An Impressionist oil landscape showing a view of trees with rust and ochre foliage leading to distant slate blue hills beneath dove grey skies.

Born in the Netherlands, Derk Smit emigrated to the U.S. in 1914 and settled in Chicago. He first studied there at the Academy of Fine Arts and, subsequently, at the Art Institute of Chicago. At heart an Impressionist, his work was also influenced by the sobriety and self-discipline of the Dutch and Flemish masters.

Smit made frequent painting trips to Indiana and, in particular, to Brown County. where he was a member of the Brown County Art Gallery Association, the Indiana Artists Club, and regularly displayed his work at the Hoosier Salon. He was also a long-time member of several other Art Associations including the Chicago Art Association, the Laguna Beach Art Association and the Illinois Society of Fine Artists. He exhibited widely and with success and was the recipient of numerous prizes, medals and juried awards. In the mid-1950's he moved to Southern California where he continued to paint and exhibit.

We are pleased to offer this elegant and harmonious landscape by a notable American Impressionist. less