Ernest Van Hoorde

"Tribute to Ernest VAN HOORDE" (Gent 1922 - 1991)

This remarkable artist has never been a regular guest at gallery vernissages, nor has he ever been keen on media attention - on the contrary: it would take until 1960 before he exhibited his work in Ghent, his hometown, at the age of 38.
Even though his work would receive numerous highly reputed and much coveted prizes and awards, and even though the increasing success of his work seemed to promise a highly successful artistic career, Van Hoorde rarely exhibited his work and after 1970 almost disappeared from the public platform as an individual exhibitor of his work.
And yet, it had nothing to do with a lack of inspiration or enthusiasm. Despite lack of publicity, made by the artist himself or by the critics, his work increasingly found its way to the walls of art lovers, collectors and museums.
The first confrontation with Van Hoorde's work is special: it evokes a very particular atmosphere, it charms and enchants, is permeated by poetry and playful naturalness that give it a festive and lively quality. Here, a genuine artist is at work, who with an inbred talent and Latin-French ease and casualness, indulges in creating shapes and colours, on canvas or panel, that have roots in impressionism and fauvism.
His theme is ordinary life, simple and everyday subjects revealing an incredible enthusiasm and lust for life. In his sketch books, he indefatigably recorded travel memories, emotions experienced during concerts, or all kinds of things that occurred in his Ghent neighbourhood, his garden in St.-Martens-Latem, or during his excursions to Brussels and Knokke. And, of course, his love for harbours, in Antwerp, Ostend, Zeebruges or the Temse Boel Wharf.
A born impressionist, intense and pure in his use of colour, with a powerful and spontaneous touch and yet so connected to his day and age in the choice of themes and compositions.