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Forthcoming Cape Town Auction

25 Jun 2010

Strauss & Co is gearing up for yet another spectacular sale on 11 October 2010 at the Vineyard Hotel in Newlands. Managing Director Stephan Welz’s recent visit to Cape Town drew phenomenal responses from eager collectors seeking valuations and wanting to consign valuable items to the next auction. The turnout netted a cache of top works by Irma Stern, J H Pierneef, Maggie Laubser, Stanley Pinker, Cecil Skotnes, Lucky Sibiya, William Kentridge and many more.

Having recently broken all records for a still life by a South African artist and a still life by Irma Stern, Strauss & Co is set to challenge their own records with Stern’s magnificent Gladioli (R5 000 000 – 7 000 000). Painted in 1939, by which time the artist had enjoyed the success of several solo shows, exhibited with some of Europe’s leading Modernist artists, won the prestigious Prix d’Honneur at the Bordeaux International Exhibition (1927) and travelled widely on the continent to places such as Dakar and Zanzibar, this painting exemplifies the work of Irma Stern at the height of her powers.

J H Pierneef’s Koringlande Agter Paarl (R2 500 000 – 3 500 000), painted in 1952, is a rare example of the artist’s Cape landscapes, depicting a Cape Dutch farmhouse nestled amongst sweeping wheat fields at the foot of a dramatic mountain range. A striking pair of paintings by Maggie Laubser featuring a coastal landscape with flamingos (R700 000 – 900 000) and a Free State landscape with a Blue Crane (R600 000 – 800 000) are outstanding examples of her work, evoking her abiding affinity with nature and her deep love of the South African soil and its rich birdlife. Also included is a rare painting of a bather on the beach by Irma Stern (R800 000 – 1 200 0000) and other works from the estate of the late Neville Dubow. In addition to being one of this country’s foremost scholars of art and an authority on Irma Stern about whom he authored several publications, Dubow was, for many years, Professor and Head of the University of Cape Town’s Michaelis School Fine Art and Director of the UCT Irma Stern Museum in Rondebosch.

Wheel of Life (R700 000 – 1 000 000) painted in 1974 by Stanley Pinker, who was, for many years, senior painting lecturer at the same art school, vividly conveys the acute intelligence and wicked wit he brings to bear on his explorations of the peculiarities of South African cultural and political life. Carved wood panels by Cecil Skotnes and Lucky Sibiya, ranging in estimates from R60 000 to R350 000, will give collectors and enthusiasts the opportunity of comparing their techniques and iconography. William Kentridge’s Dutch Iris II, an etching and acquatint with sixteen colours, demonstrates the mastery of the fine art of printmaking that has assured him a place in major international collections such as The Museum of Modern Art, New York and confirms why his work is so sought after across the globe.

With South Africa’s top fine art auctioneer at the helm and a team of esteemed specialists at hand, Strauss & Co offers sellers and buyers the most sought-after expertise in fine art and antiques and the market savvy to ensure the best possible results. After all, it’s the end result that counts, not what’s promised you. Two sales held by Strauss & Co thus far this year bring the total turnover close on R80m, reaffirming their undisputed position as market leaders. With two more auctions still to go, Strauss & Co’s annual turnover is set to exceed last year’s figure by some considerable measure. Focusing on offering top quality art and antiques, from private collections and fresh to the market, is proving to be a winning strategy. The company has also handled major estates recently including the Dodo collection and the Leslie Milner collection, achieving substantial prices for the estates.

Says Stephan Welz of his last visit to Cape Town: ‘My day was made within the first three appointments when I saw the calibre of artworks and objects being brought to us. I then appreciated that we are now the first point of enquiry for serious collectors and owners of important paintings when it comes to exploring the possibilities of selling. More importantly, all left their artworks with us for sale.’

Welz, who is to honoured by the Ann Bryant Gallery in East London for his contribution towards the recent refurbishment of the museum, will be in the Eastern Cape in the week of 19 July, in Cape Town on 29 July and in Hermanus on 30 July, to provide valuations and offer sellers the last opportunity to consign art and antiques to Strauss & Co’s 11 October sale.

For further information please call:
021 683 6560 / 078 044 8185 or email ct@straussart.co.za

Text: Emma Bedford

Press Enquiries: Bina Genovese bina@straussart.co.za/021 683 6560


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