Le Fiacre was in private property when it disappeared in the late 1970s. The owner later received a reimbursement from the insurance company and renounced the work. Since then, the painting has remained in the hands of that society.
Earlier this year, Ostend already bought another work from Ensor, which recently appeared for the first time at an auction. With the possible purchase of Le Fiacre, the city wants to further expand its Ensor collection.