Smidt Van Gelder

The Belle Epoque house designed by the famous architect Jozef Hertogs (1861-1930) is located at the former Boulevard Leopold (Quartier Leopold), now Belgielei 91 in Antwerp. Pieter Smidt van Gelder bought this in 1937 from the heirs of the Antwerp banker and entrepreneur Thijs Eduard to house his collection. The beautiful Belle Epoque house is still one of the last witnesses of the glory of that period on Belgielei. Almost all architectural creations of Historicism, Eclecticism, and Art Nouveau have largely disappeared and made way for modern offices and apartment buildings.

In the course of the 1930s, the Dutchman Pieter Smidt van Gelder, a rentier and art collector, decided to leave his homeland permanently; he was about sixty years old at the time. He initially considered settling in Switzerland, where his family owned a villa, and he also did some prospecting elsewhere, including in Brussels. His problem was not simple. He was not just looking for a house, but also a worthy home for his extensive collections. Until then, these had largely been stored in the old warehouses of the family business in Amsterdam. Through acquaintances, Smidt got to know the luxurious Hotel Thijs, on Antwerp's Belgiëlei. He later liked to say that he bought this impressive master house on the spot, in a true coup de foudre. He had never seen a house that so perfectly matched his dream wish: a comfortable residence for himself, combined with the spatial possibility to set up a private museum. Stylistically and in content, the exceptional Belle Epoque building also seamlessly matched the collections that would be housed there. The combination of both elements consequently guaranteed significant added value. Pieter Smidt van Gelder moved permanently to Antwerp in 1937; his immense art collection would later follow by ship.

The collector quickly settled well in his new city. After a few years, he also took the necessary steps to acquire Belgian nationality. In 1949, the collector also started negotiations with Mayor Lode Craeybeckx regarding a possible donation of the building and his collections to the City of Antwerp. On March 11, 1950, the new Municipal Museum Smidt van Gelder opened its doors to the public. As long as Smidt lived, the donation only included the building and the contents of the private museum. However, when the collector passed away in 1956 at the age of nearly eighty, the furnishings of his living quarters could also be added to the museum's heritage, effectively doubling its size.

In the office of the benefactor, several framed sayings were found that give us a better understanding of his motivations in collecting.

The first saying expresses what the ultimate goal should be of any sustained collecting activity, namely The buyer of antiques cannot be classed with the man who squanders his money on luxuries. He is a man whose action will tend to enrich the future art treasures of the nation.
This makes it clear that Smidt always had a public destination in mind for his collections. That this eventually materialized in Antwerp will surprise many, both in Flanders and in the Netherlands. According to the collector, this was solely the result of the unexpected spatial opportunities that the Hotel Thijs offered him. His generous gesture was certainly valued, both at the national and municipal level.
Upon recommendation of the competent ministers, he received the honor of Commander in the Order of the Crown and that of Commander in the Order of Leopold. In 1954, Pieter Smidt van Gelder was also elevated to nobility by King Baudouin, with the personal title of Knight.
The City Council also did not remain indifferent. In addition to the appropriate formalities during the transfer

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