DERK SMIT (1889-1985)

Derk Smit was born in the Netherlands on Jan. 29, 1889. Smit came to the U.S. in 1914. After serving in the Navy during WW1, he settled in Chicago, studied at the AIC, and worked as an interior decorator. While based there, he made painting trips to southern California. He died in Santa Barbara, CA on July 17, 1984. An Impressionist, his work was influenced by Dutch and Flemish masters.

Derk Smit biography courtesy Edan Hughes "Artists in California".