Bread on the Table
Malvina's death was devastating for Jakob Smits. He lost his great love, his support, and his confidante. Left with three small children and barely enough money to support his family, Jakob faced an urgent need to put bread on the table. He began creating his first etchings, though it would take years before his graphic career truly took off.
A Third Marriage
In 1900, Jakob Smits met the much younger Josine Van Cauteren in Antwerp. He soon asked her to marry him, and she agreed, despite her family's objections. Marrying a poor artist of 45, who had three small children and lived in a godforsaken hole in the Kempen, was not a foregone conclusion for an energetic 24-year-old woman from Antwerp.
Josine took care of Jakob's children and managed his business interests. During this period, their financial situation improved.
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Theft
In 1903, fate struck again. His parents had been ruined by theft, and he took them into his home. Mother Smits was mentally ill and would not live much longer. His father, who would become partially paralyzed by a stroke three years later, lived in the Malvinahof for another 17 years. During this time, Jakob had to support ten people with his painting. No wonder he often worried about money.
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Artistic Recognition
In 1901, Jakob Smits held his first solo exhibition in Antwerp. He received much praise from critics and colleagues, but sold very few works. Later that year, the Museum of Brussels purchased The Father of the Convicted for 6,000 francs. In the following years, Jakob participated in various exhibitions both at home and abroad.
In 1905, Jakob became a member of Kunst van Heden, an association dedicated to promoting contemporary Belgian art in Antwerp through lectures, publications, exhibitions, and donations to museums. He exhibited alongside artists such as Rik Wouters and (posthumously) Vincent van Gogh.
His improved financial situation enabled him to finally build a proper studio. In addition to the old barn where he had worked for years under primitive conditions, he had a new building constructed in 1907, featuring large windows and skylights. This new studio became a "light lab," allowing him to further explore and study light in his work.
During this period, Jakob Smits also produced more etchings. In 1910, a luxurious collection of 25 etchings by him was published. He dedicated this collection to Queen Elisabeth, who had a deep interest in art and culture.
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International Art Exhibition in Mol
In 1907, at the request of the municipal government of Mol, Smits organised an international art exhibition. The exhibition featured works by 68 artists who had worked in the area around Mol.
In addition to a group of Dutch painters, artists from Germany, England, and the United States were also represented. They had painted landscapes and interiors in Mol and its surroundings.
The exhibition was a grand event, attracting thousands of visitors.
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