Louise De Hem (1867-1922): Before the Calvari (in Flanders), oil on canvas

Work: 176 x 138,5 cm

Frame: 214 x 174 cm

The lady on the left is more than likely the painter's sister, Hélène. She was married to the painter Théodore Ceriez (1831-1904), who was also a teacher at the Academy of Ypres (link). The setting is the St. Martin's Cathedral, Ypres (link). 

The work can also be seen as a confrontation between the different forms of religion, in particular experience versus book knowledge (illustrated by the contrast between young and old and light and dark).

Provenance:

- Private collection, Belgium. 

Ref.:

- Part of the exhibition 'Salon de la Société des Artistes Français' in Paris in 1900 (no. 384).

- Part of the exhibition ''Exposition Triennale des Beaux-Arts' in Brussels in 1900 (no. 160).

- Part of the exhibition 'Woman's Exhibition' in London in 1900.

- Part of the exhibition 'Louise/Edith. Op handen gedragen' in the Ypres Cloth Hall, November 19, 2022 - March 12, 2023 (no. 40, also mentioned on p. 29 of the accompanying guide).

- Jan De Wilde and Annick Vandenbilcke, Louise De Hem 1866-1922, Ypres, 1922, p. 75, C-38.