Jakob Smitsmuseum

About the museum

The Jakob Smitsmuseum is a municipal museum in Mol, dedicated to the artist Jakob Smits (1855-1928) and the Mol School. As early as 1935, the biographer Ernest Van den Bossche expressed the wish to bring Smits' work together. In 1949 the artist's widow wanted to give the Malvinahof, where he had always stayed, together with his work, to the Province of Antwerp, but the province did not accept.

From the early 1970s onwards, the municipality of Mol itself bought work by Smits. The former presbytery of the hamlet of Sluis, a neo-Renaissance building from 1892, was converted and the museum opened its doors there in 1977. In 1996 a new wing was added, so that work by other painters of the Mol School could also be displayed.

The collection consists of paintings, drawings and etchings by Jakob Smits and by artists of the Mol School. The museum has seven exhibition spaces spread over three floors: on the ground floor hang works of the Mol School and temporary exhibitions are shown, on the first floor the paintings and drawings by Smits, and in the attic etchings can be seen.

The museum works together with the vzw Vrienden van het Jakob Smitsmuseum and the Stichting Ronald Luyten/Jakob Smits and brings the life and work of Smits to the attention of a wide public, including through podcasts, an audio guide and scientific research.

Highlights

• Paintings, drawings and etchings by Jakob Smits
• Work by artists of the Mol School
• Former presbytery from 1892 with seven exhibition spaces
• Free audio guide and tactile panel for the painting ‘Vertrek naar het veld’
• Museum game ‘Smits voor Kids’ for young visitors

Permanent exhibition

• Jakob Smits en de Molse School – Paintings, drawings and etchings by Jakob Smits and artists of the Mol School, spread over three floors of the former presbytery.

Founded

1977

Operated by

Gemeente Mol

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Every last Sunday of the month: free admission for residents of the Stuifzand region (Balen, Dessel, Geel, Laakdal, Meerhout, Mol and Retie).

The adult ticket includes the catalogue and audio guide. Free with the museumPASSmusées or ICOM card, for members of the vzw and for Mol guides. Buy your ticket at the till and pay in cash, by Bancontact or by Payconiq.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is largely accessible to wheelchair users, with a lift on every floor. Reception staff completed the training ‘Warm onthaal voor blinden en slechtzienden’ (warm welcome for blind and partially sighted visitors). A tactile panel lets you experience the painting ‘Vertrek naar het veld’. Guide dogs are welcome and the lockers are easy to use with a key.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Children and young people are welcome and enter free. Several times a year a new museum game is introduced, for example ‘Smits voor Kids’. The audio guide is made for adults, but teenagers with a sense of humour can enjoy it too. The museum also started ‘Club Smits’ for young art lovers.

Getting there & parking

The museum is within walking and cycling distance of the Molse Meren (Mol lakes).

Amenities & dining

• Lockers

Nearby you will find cafés, including 't Voske and 't Smetje. The museum garden is freely accessible and suitable for a picnic.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit