Léon de Smet (1881-1966) was a leading Belgian painter associated with the Latem School, a circle of artists working in the village of Sint-Martens-Latem near Ghent at the turn of the 20th century. Born in Ghent in 1881, de Smet studied at the Ghent Academy of Fine Arts and was part of a generation that embraced Impressionism and Post-Impressionism while developing a distinctly Belgian modernist idiom.
Working in vibrant, luminous palettes, de Smet became known for his refined portraits, domestic interiors, and sunlit garden scenes, all characterised by fluid brushwork and a sensitivity to atmosphere. His reputation extended internationally when he moved to London during the First World War, where he exhibited at the Royal Academy, the New English Art Club, and other prominent venues, gaining critical acclaim.
After returning to Belgium, de Smet continued to paint prolifically, capturing both intimate subjects and expansive landscapes. His works are represented in numerous museum collections, including the Musées royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique (Brussels) and the Museum of Fine Arts, Ghent, affirming his place among the foremost Belgian painters of his generation.
