(1641 - 1710)
Aernout Smit was born in Amsterdam and studied under artist Theunisz Jan Blankerhoff. He later painted in an attic room on the Singel canal, probably under the employment of art dealer Lauren Cornelisz de Coninck, who rented the room. Another dealer, Hendrick Meyeringh, owned several works by him and may also have been a patron. Smit’s wife, Maritie Jans Weema, worked for a grocer in Amsterdam. On the grocer’s retirement, Smit purchased the shop, which Maritie managed. In 1687 Smit reported having copied a work by artist Ludolf Backhuysen and he is generally considered to have been a follower of Backhuysen. Smit became a member of the Guild of St Luke in Amsterdam. He died aged c.70 and is thought to have been buried at the Leiden cemetery.
