The Jakob Smitsmuseum in Mol
The Jakob Smitsmuseum is a recognized municipal museum situated in Mol. It occupies a space at Sluis 155a, 2400 Mol, within a building that was once the old parish of Mol-Sluis. This structure was converted to house the collection and opened to the public in 1977.
The institution focuses on the life and work of the painter Jakob Smits. It performs the work of collecting, researching, and cherishing his archives and artistic output. The museum provides a setting where his presence is maintained through the preservation of his specific history and the objects he left behind.
The Artistic Legacy of Jakob Smits
The work of Jakob Smits remains deeply rooted in the landscape of the Campine. Born in Rotterdam, the painter eventually found a permanent home in Achterbos, near Mol, where he remained until his death in 1928. His presence is felt through a collection of 60 approved works held by the museum, many of which reflect a preoccupation with the quietude of rural life and the subtle shifts of light across the Belgian countryside. There is a specific weight to his depictions of people and their surroundings, capturing a sense of existence that feels both grounded and poetic.
The museum does not merely preserve the past; it places Smits in a continuous dialogue with the present. By exhibiting contemporary and current art alongside the works of Smits and his contemporaries, the institution allows for a direct confrontation between different eras of expression. This approach ensures that his aesthetic concerns remain part of an active, evolving conversation rather than becoming static relics of a bygone period.
- Portrait of Boys
- Malvina with White Scarf
- The Potato Peel
- The Sick Child
- Still Life with Apples
- Senator Max Hallet, about 1919
Exhibitions and Public Activities
The museum facilitates a continuous dialogue between the established oeuvre of Jakob Smits and the presence of contemporary art. These in-depth exhibitions allow current artistic expressions to interact with the historical weight of the collection. Such programming ensures that the space remains a site of active artistic confrontation rather than a static repository. The museum also hosts various forms of engagement, including lectures, workshops, and meetings with artists, alongside guided tours that explore the specificities of the collection.
For younger visitors, the museum team develops a playful and creative approach tailored to each exhibition. This ensures that children can engage with the art through specific, age-appropriate methods. The museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday, though it remains closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Visiting Information and Access
The Jakob Smitsmuseum is located at Sluis 155a in Mol, Belgium. The doors are open from Wednesday to Sunday, between 13:00 and 17:00. Access is provided through the museum pass, which allows entry at no additional cost. Parking is available at the Sluis 155a location.
Certain periods of closure are scheduled for the coming years. The museum will be closed from 18/01/2027 to 12/02/2027. There is a second period of closure from 30/08/2027 to 24/09/2027. During these times, the building remains closed to the public.
