School of Latem: Sun-drenched rose garden, oil on canvas

Work: 66,5 x 54,5 cm

Frame: 94 x 82,5 cm

The work comes with a certificate from Jan Hoet, which confirms that this is a painting by the Belgian painter Emile Claus (1849-1924). Hoet was appointed director of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Ghent in 1975, then housed in several rooms of the Museum of Fine Arts in Ghent and the predecessor of the Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art (Stedelijk Museum voor Actuele Kunst, S.M.A.K.), founded in 1999. He retired as curator of the SMAK in 2003: 'Ondergetekende Jan Hoet, conservator Museum van Hedendaagse Kunst te Gent, verklaart het werk van Emile Claus, waarvan afbeelding op keerzijde, naar authenticiteit te hebben onderzocht. Het bevat alle karakteristieken van een authentiek werk zowel qua factuur, kleuraanbreng en lichtnuances. Het schilderij bevindt zich in een goedgeconserveerde staat. Gent, 11 augustus 1982'. (The undersigned Jan Hoet, curator of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Ghent, declares that he has examined the work of Emile Claus, of which the image is depicted on the reverse, for authenticity. It contains all the characteristics of an authentic work in terms of making, colour application and light nuances. The painting is in a well-preserved condition. Ghent, August 11, 1982)

The chassis bears the studio stamps of Emile Claus ('Atelier Emile Claus') at the back. Works bearing this stamp were, under normal circumstances, part of what was present in Claus' studio at the time of his death. It happened that a signature was placed on unsigned works (in the case of Emile Claus, for example, this was done by his muse Jenny Montigny).

There is a very real chance that the work is a collaboration of several hands. On the basis of characteristics and style it can be suggested that Anna De Weert (1867-1950) finished the work under the supervision of Claus and that the work was present in the artist's studio at the time of his death.