Glencairn Museum, Academy of the New Church, Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, New Light, Ten Artists Inspired by Emanuel Swedenborg, January 30–March 13, 1988, no. 9, as Reverend Theodore Pitcairn, c. 1925, charcoal, 19" x 15," Glencairn Museum.

1993 Glencairn Museum

Glencairn Museum, Academy of the New Church, Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, Philippe Smit (1886-1948): An exhibition in honor of Glencairn's acquisition of the 'The Celestial Army', January 10–February 15, 1993, [7] G., as Theodore Pitcairn, Charcoal, ca. 1925, (07.DR.500).

Literature & Primary Sources

Niehaus 1924a

Niehaus, Kasper. "Schilderkunst, Philippe Smit." Maandblad voor beeldende kunsten Eerste Jaargang, n°11 (11/1924), ill. p. 324, as Portret.

Niehaus 1924b

Niehaus, Kasper. "Nieuwe Werken van Philippe Smit." De Telegraaf (Amsterdam), 14-12-1924, p. 9 ("… In Amerika teckende hij nog een bezield mansportret …").

De Sumatra Post 1927

"Geestelijk Leven: […] Swedenborg's openbaringen." De Sumatra Post (Medan), 22-03-1927, p. 14, ..". Een portret van ds. Theodore Pitcairn ..."

Niehaus 1955

Niehaus, Kasper. Philippe Smit, unkown genius. Revised and edited by Marjorie Bell. Typescript, 1955, p. 19 ("... The authors portrait, also drawn by Philippe Smit, forms the frontispiece.

Janssen 2015
Janssen, Guus. "Philippe Smit – Nederlandse kunstschilder die geïnspireerd werd door Swedenborg." Swedenborgiana (La Haye) Editie 91 (09/2015), p. 12, ill. 2, as Reverend Theodore Pitcairn.

Notes
This drawing, executed during his stay in America in 1924, is a study for the large portrait of The Reverend Theodore Pitcairn [PS 251] and for the one of Theodore Pitcairn Seated in a Red Armchair [PS 253], was given to Raymond Pitcairn, the eldest brother of Theodore. In a letter¹ sent to the artist Raymond shows an interest in the results of this work and thanks Philippe Smit for this thoughtfulness: "[...] Mrs. Pitcairn and I are keenly interested in the results of your portrait of Theo, which I hope will be in your best style and I trust that we shall see at least a photograph of it in the near future. [...] and thanks for the charcoal drawing of my brother which you made. I think he told you that I had not understood that it was intended as a personal gift for me. As this is the desire of both you and my brother, I desire to thank you, as I am indeed very glad to have it." This drawing also decorates the frontispiece of Het boek verzegeld met zeven zegelen (The Book Sealed with Seven Seals) written by the sitter himself in 1926 (fig. 1).

1. Raymond Pitcairn, copy of a TLS to Philippe Smit, 19th September 1924 (Glencairn archives).

Additional images
FIG. 1
Frontispiece and title page: Theodore Pitcairn: Het boek verzegeld met zeven zegelen, 's-Gravenhage: Swedenborg Genootschap, 1926.

Record last updated May 13, 2017. Please note that the information on this and all pages is periodically reviewed and subject to change.
Citation: Narzt, Andreas and Castellani, Florence. "Theodore Pitcairn, 1924 (PS 252)." In The Complete Works of Philippe Smit. www.philippesmit.com/catalogue/entry.php?id=252 (accessed on May 10, 2025).

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