Van der Smissen Jan

Jan Van der Smissen was a Belgian artist, born and died in Ninove (1944-1995). He was a painter and draftsman. He attended evening courses at the Academy in Aalst and lessons from the Famous Artists School. Among other things, he realized portraits, figures, landscapes, forest-village and Dender views. Influenced by the work of Felix de Boeck, he later experimented more with forms and techniques, resulting in symbolist-oriented compositions. From the press: "J.V.S. passionately loves the silence, the unspoilt nature and the hard, but nevertheless calming farm life, which you can still find everywhere in the region between Aalst and Ninove. He received the prize from the public at the international exhibition 'Art for All' in 1976. He worked professionally as a proofer and designer at the De Dender printing company in Ninove. He is mentioned in BAS I and Two centuries of signatures of Belgian artists. (piron)