Claerhout farm scene

Frans Claerhout, born in Pittem, West Flanders, in 1919, became a celebrated artist and missionary whose life journey took him from Belgium to the heart of South Africa. In 1946, at the age of 27, Claerhout moved to South Africa after completing his training for the priesthood, embarking on his mission as a Catholic priest. Initially stationed in the Transvaal, he was transferred to the Orange Free State in 1948, where he settled on a farm near Bloemfontein.

While devoted to his pastoral duties, Claerhout developed a passion for art, teaching himself to paint. His unique style, characterized by vivid colors and evocative imagery, emerged more prominently after relocating to Thaba Nchu in 1960. His paintings often featured elements from his surroundings, such as donkeys, sunflowers, and figures from everyday life, blending his Christian spirituality with vibrant depictions of biblical scenes. Claerhout’s mediums included oil paint, pastels, ink, pencil, and charcoal, showcasing his versatility as an artist.

In a touching anecdote from May 2000, Claerhout painted a golden bird on the flyleaf of a book he gifted to novelist Zakes Mda. This simple yet profound gesture inspired Mda to dedicate his fifth novel, *The Madonna of Excelsior*, to Claerhout’s golden bird, further cementing the artist’s legacy in South African cultural history.

Claerhout passed away peacefully in his sleep in 2006, at the age of 87, after being admitted to a hospital in Bloemfontein with pneumonia. Leading a humble and solitary life, he spent his final years at the St. Francis Catholic Mission in Tweespruit, Free State, a home for retired Catholic priests. His life and art remain a testament to his faith, creativity, and enduring connection to the South African landscape and its people.