Beautiful, detailed, original painting by Ilona Smit. Ilona Schmit was born on 5 September 1943 at Goslar (Germany). In 1973 Ilona moved to Zeeland, where she started painting. "Before that, I was involved with ceramic shapes and textile objects. I had intended myself to paint everything 'flat', so without perspective. My immediate surroundings were my source of inspiration: the trees in my orchard, my children, animals and Zeeland houses. Someone told me that my paintings were part of naive art. I had never heard of it before. That same year I was chosen in New York as the Dutch representative for the Biennale Young Artists. And so my international career started. I have exhibited in Paris, Chicago, Berlin, Brussels, Milan, Zagreb, The Hague and Amsterdam, among other places.” (translated from Dutch). Much of her work is included in museums and private collections. Oil on canvas. Signed and dated 1997. Her paintings are rarely offered. Origin: Collection Streefoord Eemnes.