Beaucarne House
Stroll through the old village square in Ename and discover a stunning mansion with lush gardens and a majestic greenhouse housing a grapevine. The historic house is a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in eighteenth century residential culture.
Wall paintings after Pieter Norbertus van Reysschoot (1738-1795)
The art historian Marie Fredericq-Lilar (1934-2022), who occupied the house between 1954 and 2022, was an authority on life in the eighteenth century and wrote a dissertation on the van Reysschoot brothers. Her fascination led her to a golden opportunity. In 1970 she purchased canvases that were part of the interior of a mansion in Ghent. The paintings appeared to be the work of Pieter Norbertus van Reysschoot, but the signature so typical of the artist was missing. Nevertheless, Marie-Fredericq-Lilar decided to display them in the ‘Music Salon’ of the House of Beaucarne. The interior of the eighteenth century bourgeois salon became the backdrop for vividly painted landscapes that draw us into nature.
Three portraits by Léon de Smet
The expressionist Léon de Smet was part of the Latem School at the beginning of the 20th century. Léon de Smet was the brother of the artist Gustave de Smet. Commissioned by Baron Louis Fredericq (1892-1981), he painted the portrait of the latter’s uncle Louis Beaucarne (1875-1945) after his death. Louis Beaucarne was mayor of Ename and lived in the historic house until 1945. After his death his nephew, Louis Fredericq, inherited the property. Léon de Smet used Louis Beaucarne’s funeral card to finalize the portrait. Louis Fredericq also commissioned a portrait of himself and his wife Thérèse Varlez (1898-1991).
Practical information
Accessibility
- Easy access for people with disabilities.
