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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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Original frame designed and painted by the artist.
Original frame designed and painted by the artist.
Photo: Christopher Burke Studios, NY; © FdDPS
Series
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Classification: Painting
Theme: landscape
Medium: Oil
Support: On panel
Year: 1930
PS 350 (P 1009)
The Castle Bridge with Water Lilies
c.1930
Oil on panel
8 5/16 x 10 5/8 in. (21 x 27 cm)
Neither signed, nor dated
On the back: a small label: Mad. Pitcairn [handwritten]/ 1009 [printed] center left.
Siri Yardumian Hurst, USA
Inventories
Inv. Les Pleignes, P. Damidot, 1938, LNC archives: no. P 1009: p. 13, palier 1er étage, Petit tableau par Philippe Smit./ Pont du Château avec nénuphars. 200 [FRF].
Inv. Pitcairn, n.d. [c.1957], n.p., LNC archives: no. P 1009 F: Mrs. Theodore Pitcairn, Bridge at Chateau, with Waterlilies, Oil, 7 x 9 1/4 [in.].
Provenance
Marijke Urban-Pitcairn
Miriam Pitcairn-Mitchell (by descent)
Siri Yardumian Hurst (gift from the above)
Exhibitions
No known exhibitions.
Literature & Primary Sources
No known published references.
Notes

Located in the commune of Moncourt-Fromonville, in the Seine-et-Marne region, the Château de Pleignes, a former residence of the lords of Nemours, belongs to Theodore Pitcairn1 & 2  during the 1930s and 1940s. He spends his summers there with his family for about ten years. His eldest son, Laren, is born there in 1935.
This pastel and two other works, also of small format ([PS 378] Entrée du chateau and [PS 379] Entrée du château de Pleignes), can be associated with this period. Smit does not choose to depict the castle itself, but rather focuses on peripheral views of the estate and its surrounding landscape, revealing an intimate and contemplative gaze. The motif of the bridge crossing the moat covered in water lilies epitomises this lyrical sensitivity to nature, characteristic of Smit’s style. According to oral tradition passed down by Miriam Pitcairn, eldest daughter of Theodore and Marijke Pitcairn, the pastel [PS 460] “Forest with Daffodils and Periwinkles” also reflects the spring atmosphere of the family’s property.

1. See biographical note on Theodore Pitcairn.
2. See Chronolgie 1940

Record last updated June 24, 2025. Please note that the information on this and all pages is periodically reviewed and subject to change.
Citation: Narzt, Andreas and Castellani, Florence. "The Castle Bridge with Water Lilies, c.1930 (PS 350)." In The Complete Works of Philippe Smit. www.philippesmit.com/catalogue/entry.php?id=350 (accessed on June 30, 2025).