Catalogue entry

• Landscape: 
  • tree(s) »
  • autumn »
  • castle »
  • park »
• Sites, France: 
  • Thoury-Ferrottes »

This small pastel, painted on an autumn day between 1928 and 1935, provides the only view by the hand of Philippe Smit of the Château de la Motte. And yet, the building occupies only a secondary role. The artist gives his attention, as the title suggests, to the park, known for its many and diverse species of majestic old trees, pictured here in superb late season colors. By skillfully choosing his angle of view, Smit immediately guides the spectator's gaze towards the bright golden yellow foliage of the ginkgo biloba, which dominates the clump of trees bordering the lawn to the north of the building. The composition is made lively both by long, fine lines and by dense, thick touches, a typical technique of the period.
It is surprising that the Château de la Motte was not a source of inspiration for Smit because he was very attached to it and he lived there, except during the war years, until his death in 1948.
On May 26, 1926, Smit acquired full ownership of the Château de la Motte in Thoury-Ferrottes, a village in the south of Seine-et-Marne, near Gâtinais and Champagne. This 18th century ornamental home was built on or near the remains of a feudal building, the exact location of which is unknown. Both its owner and its architect are lost in the shades of history. Pierre de la Flèche, known as "Lord High Justice of Thoury-Ferrottes", was one of the first occupants. Later, during the 19th century, the castle saw several successive owners, including the famous Edouard Thouvenel, foreign minister of Napoleon III.
After some difficulties encountered when he moved to Thoury-Ferrottes, including the construction of his workshop¹, a prolific production phase began for the painter, who was now leading a happy and easy life. He was surrounded by his father and his adoptive family, and he saw his friends who passed by regularly. From there, he went on walks in the surrounding area and in the forest of Fontainebleau, a place of inspiration for many paintings.²

1. See [PS 323].
2. See Chronology 1921-1948 and Portraits and Landscapes Video.