Handtekening van Jacob Smies 1756 - 1833

This is Jacob Smies’s signature and some handwritten notes, likely made shortly after his death in Amsterdam on August 14, 1833. As a member of the Koninklijke Akademie, or Royal Academy, Smies was part of an institution that played a key role in shaping artistic production and taste in the Netherlands. The notes below his signature record his passing at 69 years old and confirm his membership in the Royal Academy. It also refers to "Felix," likely "Felix Meritis," a society dedicated to science, art, and literature. The notes suggest Smies was a "titular member" with access to all departments from 1810. The reference to "Bedankt 1828," meaning "Thanked 1828," implies he may have resigned or received some honor. To truly understand Smies's role, one could consult archival records of the Royal Academy and Felix Meritis, along with period newspapers and biographical dictionaries. The meaning of this piece is contingent on the social and institutional context of the Netherlands in the early 19th century.