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The Complete Works of Philippe Smit
by Andreas Narzt and Florence Castellani

Catalogue entry

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Photo: Christopher Burke Studios, NY; © FdDPS
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Classification: Pastel
Theme: figurative
Medium: Pastel
Support: On cardboard
Year: 1924
PS 253 (P 3008)
Theodore Pitcairn Seated in a Red Armchair
Alternate titles: Monsieur Th. Pitcairn; Portrait Mr Pitcairn; The Reverend Theodore Pitcairn
1924, reworked in 1948
Pastel on cardboard
38 13/16 x 28 13/16 in. (98 x 73 cm) (sight size)
Signed and dated upper left: Philippe Smit/ 1924
Mark & Janice Pennink, USA
Inventories
Inv. Pitcairn, n.d. [c.1957], n.p., LNC archives: no. P 3008: Mrs. John Pennink, Portrait of Mr. Theodore Ptcairn (on loan to Mr. Theodore Pitcairn), Pastel, 38 1/2 x 28 1/2 [in.].
Exhibitions
1948 Maurs
Galerie Pierre Maurs, Paris, Peinture et Pastels de Philippe Smit, February 04, 1948, no. 62, as Monsieur Th. Pitcairn, 1926 (CMS).
1957 Springfield
The Museum of Fine Arts, Springfield, Massachusetts, Philippe Smit, An Exhibition of Works by a Twentieth Century Dutch Master, December 01–29, 1957, no. 17, as The Reverend Theodore Pitcairn, Pastel - Circa 1927, 53 x 42 [in.]
Literature & Primary Sources
Massé 1920–1935
Massé, René. Journal. 1920-21, 1924, 1929-31, 1933-1935, 10-11-1929, p. [9] ("… Le portrait de Théo …").
Notes

"[…] Arrivée au Château de 'la Motte' […] Les Œuvres de Philippe:/ [...] - Le portrait de Théo, aux mains merveilleuses d’expression/ mystique. […]" (… Arrival at Château La Motte. … The works by Philippe: … - The portrait of Theo, with wonderful hands of mystical expression. …) (Massé, 10 November 1929, p. [9])

In a letter sent to the artist Raymond Pitcairn, the eldest brother of Theodore, shows an interest in the results of this work: "[...] 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. [...]"1
The original frame (fig. 1) of this portrait was destroyed in the accident on 31 January 1948 during transport to Paris for the exhibition at Galerie Maurs2. A new frame was made for it,  now used for Female Nude with Drapery from Behind [PS 317].
In addition the statement of the damages indicates "slight scratches, slight mixture of the colors"3 which required a restauration of the pastel. The original signature lower right, as an old photograph shows (fig. 2 & 3), must have been lost during the accident, and the artist has resigned and redated the work at the current position upper left.

1. Raymond Pitcairn, copy of a TLS to Phillipe Smit, 19 September 1924 (Glencairn archives).
2. See 1948 Maurs.
3. "Statement of the damage caused at Plessis-Chenet …", n.d. [1948], 4 typewritten pages, p. 2 (LNC archives).

See biographical note on Theodore Pitcairn.

Additional images
Original frame for the study Female Nude with Drapery from Behind [PS 317], now used for the portrait.
Original frame for the study Female Nude with Drapery from Behind [PS 317], now used for the portrait.
Photo: Christopher Burke Studios, NY; © FdDPS
New frame of the portrait, now used for the study Female Nude with Drapery from Behind [PS 317].
New frame of the portrait, now used for the study Female Nude with Drapery from Behind [PS 317].
Photo: Christopher Burke Studios, NY; © FdDPS
FIG. 1 The portrait in its original frame hanging in the living room at Chateau La Motte, Thoury-Ferrottes (old photograph, private archives, Paris).
FIG. 1
The portrait in its original frame hanging in the living room at Chateau La Motte, Thoury-Ferrottes (old photograph, private archives, Paris).
FIG. 2 Old photograph of the painting (private archives, Paris).
FIG. 2
Old photograph of the painting (private archives, Paris).
FIG. 3 Original signature.
FIG. 3
Original signature.
Record last updated July 4, 2024. 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 Seated in a Red Armchair, 1924, reworked in 1948 (PS 253)." In The Complete Works of Philippe Smit. www.philippesmit.com/catalogue/entry.php?id=253 (accessed on May 10, 2025).