Carolus Constantinius Verhaeren

The Last Light
Carolus Verhaeren
American (born Belgium), 1908-1956
Oil on Canvas, early 1950s
Signed LR: Carolus Verhaeren
Inscribed on stretcher: "The Last Light"
22 x 26 inches
Courtesy of Kevin and Tamara Kinsella

Painter

Born in Antwerp, Belgium on June 18, 1908. Verhaeren was from a distinguished family of Flemish artists. With his family, he fled to London, England during World War I. There he first learned to paint from the many "sidewalk artists" before moving to Canada where he studied with George DeVore for five years. For ten years he maintained a studio in Detroit, Michigan. Having made trips to California in the 1930s, in 1946 he settled in La Jolla where he established a studio-gallery and taught art. During the 1950s he often painted with Alfred Mitchell in the San Diego back country. An Impressionist, he used a palette knife to create coastals, landscapes, and portraits. An aborted love affair led to his suicide on September 14, 1956. Exhibited: La Jolla AA, 1946-1956; Independent Artists (Phoenix), 1948 (award); Brussels, 1948; Wales Galleries (Tucson), 1950 (solo); Carlsbad-Oceanside Show, 1950 (award); De Young Museum, 1952; SWA, 1952-55; Laguna Beach AA, 1955; Palm Desert Art Gallery, 1956 (solo); San Diego County Fairs (awards). Works held: La Jolla Historical Society, La Valencia Hotel, Casa de Mañana, Scripps Hospital, all in La Jolla. Source: WWAA 1956-62.