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The Complete Works of Philippe Smit
by Andreas Narzt and Florence Castellani
Catalogue entry
PS 243 (P 172)
Vision d'une ascension (Vision of an Ascension)
Alternate titles: Ascension; Ascension dans une nuit étoilée; Ascension in Starlit Night; Die Himmelfahrt einer Sternennacht; Hemelvaart in een sterrennacht
1923
Oil on canvas
85 1/8 x 76 13/16 in. (216 x 195 cm)
Signed lower right: Philippe Smit and titled on the frame lower center: Vision d'une Ascension
Private collection, USA
Inventories
Inv. T. P., Ptgs etc. at Bryn Athyn, n.d. [c. 1940], Glencairn archives: no. [14] [ P 172]: p. [1], Vision d'Ascension, Smit, 78 x 85 [in.].
Inv. Pitcairn, n.d. [c.1957], n.p., LNC archives: no. P 172: Rev. Theodore Pitcairn, Ascension in Star Lit Night, Smit, Oil, 83 1/2 x 75 1/2 [in.].
Inv. LNC, 1984, updated Oct. 1998, LNC archives: no. P 172: p. 2, The Church Hall - Art Gallery, Ascension in a Star-lit Night, Oil [1998: Sold, Danny M.], 83 1/2 x 75 1/2 [in.].
Provenance
Theodore Pitcairn
The Lord's New Church, Bryn Athyn, PA (donation from the above)
John Daniel Mitchell (bought from the Lord’s New Church in 1987)
Auction: Cyr Auction Company, Wells/Maine, 16 July 2008, lot 75
David Pitcairn (bought at the above sale)
Exhibitions
1923 Sparren
Atelier 'de Sparren', Laren, Netherlands, Philippe Smit, Laatste Werken, October 01–08, 1923, ?, as Ascension (see Niehaus 1923).1923 Fetter
Kunstzaal Fetter, Amsterdam, [unknown title], October 20–26, 1923.Literature & Primary Sources
Niehaus 1923
Niehaus, Kasper. "Philippe Smit, 'De Sparren', Laren." De Telegraaf (Amsterdam), 04-10-1923, p. 6, as Ascension.Hyatt 1924
Hyatt, Winfred. "The Art of Philippe Smit." In The Bulletin, vol. XIII, n° 2. Bryn Athyn, PA: Sons of the Academy, November 1924, p. 42, as Ascension.Niehaus 1924a
Niehaus, Kasper. "Schilderkunst, Philippe Smit." Maandblad voor beeldende kunsten Eerste Jaargang, n°11 (11/1924), p. 325 & 326, ill. p. 326, as Hemelvaart in een sterrennacht.Niehaus 1937
Niehaus, Kasper. "Philippe Smit." Elsevier's Geïllustreerd Maandschrift Jaargang 47, n° 93 (1937 januari-juli), p. 233, as Ascension dans une nuit étoilée.Niehaus 1942
Niehaus, Kasper. Levende Nederlandsche Kunst. Amsterdam: Bigot & Van Rossum, 1942, p. 205, as Ascension dans une nuit étoilée.Vollmer 1953
Vollmer, H. Allgemeines Lexikon der bildenden Künstler des XX. Jahrhunderts. Leipzig: E. A. Seemann, 1953-1962, p. 303, as Die Himmelfahrt einer Sternennacht.Castleton Thomas 1968
Castleton Thomas, Virginia. "Theodore Pitcairn, Minister and Philanthropist." ? ? [1968 ?], as Ascension.Record last updated November 11, 2024. Please note that the information on this and all pages is periodically reviewed and subject to change.
Citation: Narzt, Andreas and Castellani, Florence. "Vision d'une ascension (Vision of an Ascension), 1923 (PS 243)." In The Complete Works of Philippe Smit. www.philippesmit.com/catalogue/entry.php?id=243 (accessed on May 9, 2025).