Maurice Charles Louis Van Essche (1906–1977) was a Belgian-born South African artist who significantly impacted the South African art scene during the 20th century. Born in Antwerp, Belgium, Van Essche moved to Brussels at a young age, where he studied at the Brussels Academy under James Ensor and later worked in a stained-glass studio, which influenced his painting style. During the 1930s, he was part of the Belgian group La Jeune Peinture Belge and won a silver medal at the International Exhibition in Antwerp
In 1939, Van Essche was commissioned to document the Belgian Congo, an experience that profoundly influenced his work. Following the German occupation of Belgium in 1940, he moved to South Africa, where he began exhibiting his paintings and lectured at the Wits Tech Art School between 1943 and 1945. He also founded the Continental School of Art in Cape Town in 1946, becoming an important figure in the local art community
Van Essche lectured at the Michaelis School of Fine Art from 1952 and was appointed Professor of Fine Art in 1962. His work was exhibited internationally, including at the Venice Biennale and São Paulo Biennale. He was honored with several accolades, such as being named Chevalier de Leopold II by the Belgian King in 1951 and promoted to Officer of the Order of Leopold II in 1972
His works are held in numerous prestigious South African collections, including those of the South African National Art Gallery, Johannesburg Art Gallery, and Pretoria Art Museum
Text and Image Source: Wikipedia
