Founded in 1969, Leslie Smith Gallery is one of the leading dealers of 19th and 20th Century European art, with an emphasis on Dutch (Romantic and the Hague Schools) and French (Impressionist and Post-Impressionist) paintings. Hailing from America, Leslie Smith first became interested in Dutch painting around 1968, and in particular the famous old master paintings. He began dealing in art and soon became one of the foremost specialists of Dutch 19th century. In 1986, the Frans Hals Museum in Haarlem together with Leslie Smith organized the first major exhibition on Dutch Romantic school, ’The Second Golden Age of Dutch Art’, a term introduced by Leslie Smith and now widely acknowledged by the artworld. Included in this exhibition were a number of the most important works from the Leslie Smith collection. Since Leslie Smith´s death in 1990 his son David has taken over the business, becoming the second generation of Smiths to run the company. The collection can be viewed at the Amsterdam gallery on the Minerva Square; also Leslie Smith Gallery exhibits at five major international art and antique fairs every year. Leslie Smith Gallery enjoys having an international clientele, including a number of museums and many private collectors.