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,...