Dominicus van der Smissen

Dominicus van der Smissen, or Van der Schmissen (28 April 1704, in Altona – 6 January 1760, in Altona) was a German painter, known primarily for portraits.

As Mennonites, they fled religious persecution to live in Schleswig-Holstein, which was then part of Denmark.

They eventually settled in Altona where his father, Hinrich van der Smissen [de], founded one of the city's largest trading houses.

[1] Their son, Jakob (1735–1813), also became a painter and later worked as a drawing professor in Altona.

When he fell ill with gout, he returned to Altona in hopes of being cured; but his condition worsened until he became paralyzed and soon died.