Maurice van Essche
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Maurice van Essche (4 October 1906,
Antwerp Antwerp (; nl, Antwerpen ; french: Anvers ; es, Amberes) is the largest city in Belgium by area at and the capital of Antwerp Province in the Flemish Region. With a population of 520,504,
,
Belgium Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to th ...
– 12 June 1977,
Thonon Thonon-les-Bains (; frp, Tonon), often simply referred to as Thonon, is a subprefecture of the Haute-Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in Eastern France. In 2018, the commune had a population of 35,241. Thonon-les-Bains is ...
,
France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
) was a Belgian-born South African artist and art teacher who achieved national and international recognition in his lifetime.


Life

Maurice van Essche was born 1906, in
Antwerp Antwerp (; nl, Antwerpen ; french: Anvers ; es, Amberes) is the largest city in Belgium by area at and the capital of Antwerp Province in the Flemish Region. With a population of 520,504,
,
Belgium Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to th ...
, the seventh of eleven children, of whom only eight survived infancy. The family was French-speaking despite its Flemish roots; his mother's maiden name was De Ridder. He studied art at the
Brussels Academy The Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Brussels (french: Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts - École supérieure des Arts de la Ville de Bruxelles (ARBA-ESA), nl, Koninklijke Academie voor Schone Kunsten van Brussel) is an art school established in Br ...
in 1924 under James Ensor, but halted his studies in 1925 for lack of funding, first working in a stained glass studio, then designing wallpaper – both of which experiences are actively reflected in many of his works. He also worked as a freelance cartoonist, but painted all the while. In 1933 he studied briefly under
Henri Matisse Henri Émile Benoît Matisse (; 31 December 1869 – 3 November 1954) was a French visual artist, known for both his use of colour and his fluid and original draughtsmanship. He was a draughtsman, printmaker, and sculptor, but is known prima ...
in France (see
Anecdotes An anecdote is "a story with a point", such as to communicate an abstract idea about a person, place, or thing through the concrete details of a short narrative or to characterize by delineating a specific quirk or trait. Occasionally humorous, ...
), having met him by chance in an artist's supply shop in
Cagnes Cagnes-sur-Mer (, literally ''Cagnes on Sea''; oc, Canha de Mar) is a French Riviera town in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France. Geography Cagnes-sur-Mer is a town in south-eastern ...
, France. Thereafter he continued to paint and study full-time thanks to the sponsorship of his elder brother, Joseph Charles, and a group of friends. His break came in July 1939 when he won a scholarship in a competition organised by the Belgian Government, who commissioned him to undertake a painting expedition to the
Belgian Congo The Belgian Congo (french: Congo belge, ; nl, Belgisch-Congo) was a Belgian colony in Central Africa from 1908 until independence in 1960. The former colony adopted its present name, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), in 1964. Colo ...
. His travels and experiences there influenced him profoundly, and the visions and emotions of that period echoed through his work for the rest of his life. In 1940 his wife Lucette (née Josz, 1908–1997) and son Ludovic (1935 – ) fled German occupation of
Belgium Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to th ...
and joined him in the Congo. Lucette could not cope with tropical conditions and they moved to the relatively milder climate of the South African Cape rather than return to war-torn Europe. Early days in South Africa were difficult, and on occasion van Essche traded paintings and drawings for food and other essentials. But he soon became a prominent member of the South African art community, exhibiting locally and later in Europe as well. As an active member o
The New Group
he contributed strongly to contemporary art in South Africa. He had a solid knowledge of both modern art trends and the history of European painting which he imparted in his role as teacher, a profession he regarded as equally important as creating. He taught at theWitwatersrand Technical Art School from 1943 to 1945. In 1948 he founded the Continental School of Art in
Cape Town Cape Town ( af, Kaapstad; , xh, iKapa) is one of South Africa's three capital cities, serving as the seat of the Parliament of South Africa. It is the legislative capital of the country, the oldest city in the country, and the second largest ...
, leaving in 1951 to become a lecturer at the
Michaelis School of Fine Art The Michaelis School of Fine Art was founded in 1925, and is the Fine Arts department of the University of Cape Town. The school's current director is Associate Professor Kurt Campbell. There are three research institutions associated with the sch ...
at the
University of Cape Town The University of Cape Town (UCT) ( af, Universiteit van Kaapstad, xh, Yunibesithi ya yaseKapa) is a public research university in Cape Town, South Africa. Established in 1829 as the South African College, it was granted full university statu ...
. He was appointed Professor of Fine Art in 1962 (see
Anecdotes An anecdote is "a story with a point", such as to communicate an abstract idea about a person, place, or thing through the concrete details of a short narrative or to characterize by delineating a specific quirk or trait. Occasionally humorous, ...
) and his success as a teacher is attested to by the number of his former pupils who have become prominent artists themselves. Van Essche retired from academia in 1971, but continued to paint prolifically, despite poor health, including several heart attacks. He travelled in Europe and eventually settled near
Thonon Thonon-les-Bains (; frp, Tonon), often simply referred to as Thonon, is a subprefecture of the Haute-Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in Eastern France. In 2018, the commune had a population of 35,241. Thonon-les-Bains is ...
, France, at his wife's behest. His health continued to deteriorate, and he could not travel to attend his own retrospective exhibition in
Cape Town Cape Town ( af, Kaapstad; , xh, iKapa) is one of South Africa's three capital cities, serving as the seat of the Parliament of South Africa. It is the legislative capital of the country, the oldest city in the country, and the second largest ...
in 1974. He missed Africa terribly, painting African scenes while searching in vain for local inspiration. His new themes included hippies and musicians, but he destroyed much of this work. His European landscapes from this period are dark and depressed, in stark contrast to the vibrant African scenes that flowed nonetheless. His oils continued to sell well in South Africa, and his reputation grew. He succumbed to a heart attack in June 1977 following a fall, and poor medical care.


Chronological summary

* 1906 Born in Antwerp, Belgium * 1911 Family moved to Brussels; educated there * 1925 Interrupted his studies to earn a living working in stained glass studio * 1930 Became a member of the group 'La Jeune Peinture Belge'; won silver medal at the International Exhibition, Antwerp * 1933 Married Lucie Josz; studied under Matisse in South of France; group and one-man exhibitions in Paris and Belgian centres * 1939 Government sponsored painting expedition to Belgian Congo * 1940 Moved to South Africa; stayed temporarily in Cape Town; began exhibiting in South Africa * 1943 to 1945 Lectured at Wits Tech Art School, member of New Group * 1946 Founded Continental School of Art, Cape Town * 1948–65 Regularly represented South Africa at international art exhibitions * 1948 Foundation member of International Art Club; exhibited with fellow members in Turin, later elected chairman * 1951 Awarded the title of Chevalier de Leopold II by King Baudouin of Belgium * 1952 Appointed lecturer in Fine Art, Michaelis School, Cape Town; reputation in South Africa grown considerably; continued to exhibit at intervals in Europe * 1962 Appointed Professor of Fine Art, Michaelis School, University of Cape Town * 1966 Awarded Medal of Honour for Painting by South African Akademie * 1967 Subject of monograph book 'Van Essche', b
Carl Büchner
a former student * 1970 Retired from Michaelis School. * 1971 Departed for Europe; settled in Thonon-les-Bains, France. * 1972 Awarded the title Officer of Order of Leopold II by King Baudouin of Belgium. * 1974 Unable to attend Prestige Retrospective Exhibition of his work, South African National Art Gallery and Pretoria Art Museum * 1977 Deceased 12 June, Thonon, France.


Art

Van Essche's work exhibits contrasting influences, both artistic and environmental. From delicate renditions of the diffused tones of Flanders, to powerful depictions of Africa's landscapes, people and light, van Essche conveys unmistakable moods and a realism that is both beautifully poetic and strikingly honest. "There must be blood in my painting... I must remain human at all costs," he wrote to his friend Baron Robert d'Huart in 1961.


Education

* 1924 Brussels Academy under James Ensor. * 1933 Lessons with Henri Matisse, Paris, France.


Awards

* 1930 Silver medal, International Exhibition, Antwerp * 1951 Chevalier de Leopold II, King Baudouin of Belgium (Knighthood) * 1966 Medal of Honour
South African Academy for Science and Art
* 1972 Officer of Order of Leopold II, King Baudouin of Belgium


Anecdotes

Relationship with
Henri Matisse Henri Émile Benoît Matisse (; 31 December 1869 – 3 November 1954) was a French visual artist, known for both his use of colour and his fluid and original draughtsmanship. He was a draughtsman, printmaker, and sculptor, but is known prima ...
: Maurice van Essche met Henri Matisse when buying paint in an artists' supply shop in 1933 in
Cagnes Cagnes-sur-Mer (, literally ''Cagnes on Sea''; oc, Canha de Mar) is a French Riviera town in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France. Geography Cagnes-sur-Mer is a town in south-eastern ...
, in the south of France. van Essche had just purchased the last tube of Lemon Yellow when Matisse entered the store and asked the clerk for the same article. On recognising the famous man, van Essche offered him the tube of paint. Matisse declined, but touched by the gesture invited van Essche to visit his studio. They formed a strong friendship and Matisse coached the young artist while in Cagnes, and later again in Paris. Resemblance to
Le Corbusier Charles-Édouard Jeanneret (6 October 188727 August 1965), known as Le Corbusier ( , , ), was a Swiss-French architect, designer, painter, urban planner, writer, and one of the pioneers of what is now regarded as modern architecture. He was ...
: On his visits to Paris before and after the war, van Essche frequented many well-known contemporary artists and architects of the time. Due to some similarities in appearance, and especially the style of glasses both men wore, he was often mistaken for
Le Corbusier Charles-Édouard Jeanneret (6 October 188727 August 1965), known as Le Corbusier ( , , ), was a Swiss-French architect, designer, painter, urban planner, writer, and one of the pioneers of what is now regarded as modern architecture. He was ...
, much to his delight and amusement. It is unknown whether the two ever met. As Professor of Fine Art at the
University of Cape Town The University of Cape Town (UCT) ( af, Universiteit van Kaapstad, xh, Yunibesithi ya yaseKapa) is a public research university in Cape Town, South Africa. Established in 1829 as the South African College, it was granted full university statu ...
van Essche shared the position of Dean of Art and Architecture on an annual rotating basis wit
William Leonard Thornton WHITE
referred to by colleagues and friends as Thornton-White, until Thornton-White's death in 1965. Direct descendant of
Peter Paul Rubens Sir Peter Paul Rubens (; ; 28 June 1577 – 30 May 1640) was a Flemish artist and diplomat from the Duchy of Brabant in the Southern Netherlands (modern-day Belgium). He is considered the most influential artist of the Flemish Baroque traditio ...
: In the book on Maurice van Essche b
Carl Büchner
published b
Tafelberg
in 1967, Büchner mentions van Essche's direct descendance from the flemish grand master, a claim originating from and sustained by van Essche himself. While there is no reason to doubt van Essche's good faith, the basis for the claim is unknown and direct descendance has not been researched or proven to date.


Exhibitions

* 1927 First one-man exhibition, Brussels. * 1930 and 1935 La Jeune Peinture Belge, Brussels and Paris. * 1937 Ghent Salon. * 1939 One-man art exhibitions, Elizabethville, Leopoldville. * 1941 First South African one-man art exhibition, Cape Town. * 1948 Overseas Exhibition of South African Art, Tate Gallery. * 1948 to 1952 Exhibitions of International Art Club, South Africa. * 1950 Venice Bienalle. * 1952 Van Riebeeck Tercent Exhibition, Cape Town; Venice Bienalle. * 1953 Rhodes Centenary Exhibition, Bulawayo. * 1954 Venice Bienalle. * 1956 First Quad of South African Art. * 1957 São Paulo Bienalle. * 1960 Second Quad of South African Art. * 1961 São Paulo Bienalle. * 1963 São Paulo Bienalle. * 1965 São Paulo Bienalle. * 1966 Republic Fest Exhibition, Pretoria. * 1969 Group Exhibition, 'Le Petit Palais', Geneva. * 1971 Republic Fest Exhibition. * 1974/5 Prestige Retrospective Exhibition, South African National Art Gallery and Pretoria Art Museum.


Public Collections

South African National Art Gallery; Johannesburg Art Gallery; Pretoria Art museum; Durban Art Gallery; William Humphreys Art Gallery; AC White Gallery, Bloemfontein; Hester Rupert Museum; Rembrandt Foundation; King George VI Gallery; University of Wits Art Gallery, UNISA.


Bibliography

* van Essche, by Carl Buchner, 1967, Tafelberg, Cape Town, South Africa * Art & Artists of South Africa by E. Berman, 1994, Southern Book Publishers


External links


The New Group

The Michaelis School of Fine Art

Thornton-White



References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stern, Irma South African artists 1906 births 1977 deaths White South African people Belgian emigrants to South Africa Belgian magazine founders