Frans Claerhout

Artist Frans Claerhout, a Belgian-born priest, spent most of his adult life living near Bloemfontein in South Africa. He donated much of the earnings from his versatile artwork to fund the building of housing and schools for the impoverished people of his mission.

Artist Frans Claerhout is known for his impasto painting style, using thick oil pastes on canvas for a layered, textural effect. He drew inspiration from Flemish Expressionists, portraying ordinary people in elongated, almost distorted form to depict them in an uplifting, almost humorous manner, always with sensitivity to the realities of poverty. He is also celebrated for his Expressionistic portrayal of donkeys and peasant children. Frans Claerhout's paintings and artwork for sale includes clay models, wood carvings, and crayon or pen-and-ink drawings. You can find other paintings for sale at galleries or auction representing a variety of art movements.