Artist Database

Born in Belgium, Frans Claerhout came to South Africa in 1946 as a Catholic priest and missionary. He was based in the Orange Free State at the Saint Francis Mission in Thaba ‘Nchu. He was a self-taught oil painter with his subjects being primarily people and scenes from around the mission stations where he was based. His work is expressionistic in style, using warm vibrant colours, impasto and elongated human forms for emotional emphasis. He is known for his unique style and subject matter which includes donkeys, people, and large sunflowers. Many of his paintings are of religious scenes inspired by Christian spirituality and Biblical stories. He was commissioned to paint several murals at mission stations throughout South Africa, including Bloemfontein, Schweitzer-Reineke, Thaba ‘Nchu, Potchefstroom and Witsieshoek. His later works include pastel, ink and pencil drawings, and monotypes, which are usually studies of single figures.

Claerhout was a founding member of the Bloemfontein Group, and he participated in numerous group exhibitions including the 1960 and 1964 Quadrennial Exhibitions. His first solo exhibition was held in Johannesburg in 1961. This exhibition was followed by many solo shows held throughout South Africa and in Belgium, Canada, the United States of America and Germany. His works are represented in several public and private collections in South Africa and in Belgium. Claerhout died in 2006 at the age of 87.