DE VIDTS, Marechal Theodore Rene Stanislas c.1855–1937

Born Alost, Belgium; said to have trained as an artist in Belgium and in other parts of Europe. Arrived New Zealand 1900 with his wife, for health reasons, hoping to set up as professional portrait painter. Soon found he could not make a living and took on other work including some interior decorating. During a Royal visit was responsible for decorating gates of Auckland whaat. Painted a mural behind the altar of Roman Catholic Church, Devonport, using children in primer classes of the convent school for the cherubs. Travelled back to Belgium three times, taking work for exhibition there. It was while on a visit to Belgium that he died, on 27 February 1937.