Jakob Smits

Jakob studied in Rotterdam at the academy and helped his father in the decoration business.

Jakob Smits moved to Blaricum and in Haarlem became director of the Nijverheids- en Decoratieschool (E: Industry and Decoration school).

He got to know Albert Neuhuys, a painter of The Hague School, and together they made excursions to Drenthe and the Campine in Belgium.

Jakob Smits became impressed by the Campine landscape and he established himself in 1888, definitively in Achterbos (Mol).

In the same year he married Malvina Dedeyn, the daughter of a Brussels lawyer, who is disinherited because of this marriage.

Smits financial situation improved somewhat, but his family was put heavily on the test.

After World War I he continued his work with a totally new vision and style as an engraver and painter.

On 15 February 1928 he died of a heart disease and he was buried on the church court of Achterbos (Mol).