Archived

Top artists and the art of dealing celebrated at Strauss & Co

22 Jan 2014

The headliner is undoubtedly Irma Stern’s Dakar Woman (R6 000 000 – 9 000 000). One can imagine the impact that Dakar, with its heady mix of African and French cultures, would have had on Stern during her first sojourn there in 1938. The artist’s identification with her subject is vividly conveyed in this powerful portrait that recognises their common humanity despite cultural differences.

Like Stern, Maggie Laubser studied with German Expressionist artists whose influences are incorporated into her rural vision, A Harvest Scene at Oortmanspost Farm, Malmesbury District (R1 200 000 – 1 600 000) while Pieter Wenning’s An Eating House (R300 000 – 500 000) provides a sympathetic view of labourers. Wolf Kibel’s Motherhood (R500 000 – 700 000) should excite collectors with a specialist interest in his paintings.

Strauss & Co is privileged to feature important paintings and furniture from the RB Stuttaford Will Trust and the Estate Late Mrs DE Stuttaford-Burton. The name Stuttaford is synonymous with the famous department store, Stuttafords & Co Ltd. Paintings include Robert Gwelo Goodman’s impressive View of Helderberg (R300 000 – 400 000) and the lovely Cape Town Docks and Table Bay (R200 000 – 300 000).

Alexis Preller’s Red Angel (R2 500 000 – 3 500 000) is indisputably one of the most powerful examples of his large heads. Like Two Angels in the Pretoria Art Museum collection, it is distinguished by its fusion of African and European elements into a new symbolic language of transcendence. Stanley Pinker’s Love (R500 000 – 700 000), with its reference to Robert Indiana’s iconic work, is a sassy interpretation of swinging sixties style, strongly influenced by the artist’s training and experiences in the United Kingdom and France. International works include Pablo Picasso’s etching ,Rêve de Marin: Des femmes dans chaque port (R130 000 – 160 000).

Tribute is paid to Joe Wolpe and his unparalleled role in the arts with selected works from his collection including Fred Page’s The Wolpe Gallery CT (R60 000 – 80 000), paintings by Wolf Kibel in oil and watercolour and several works by Wolpe himself, proving his extraordinary eye as art connoisseur, dealer and artist.

With increasing attention on upcoming artists from Africa at international exhibitions and art fairs, Nandipha Mntambo and Andrew Putter are worth watching. Swazi-born Mntambo, who recently launched the Zeitz MOCAA pavilion at the V&A Waterfront, fuses African experience with European mythology in photographs such as Europa (R40 000 – 60 000) and Narcissus (R35 000 – 45 000), which are highly sought-after. Putter’s Lydia Logie and Guillaume Chehude Chalezac (R35 000 – 45 000 for the two) from his African Hospitality series, are imaginative photographic reconstructions of Europeans shipwrecked along the ‘Wild Coast’ and assimilated into local Xhosa-speaking groups.

Strauss & Co specialises in single-owner collections embracing many facets of the decorative arts. Our sale offers some intriguing collections, including the result of one man’s interest in 19th and 20th century stamp boxes, with over 170 examples, mostly in silver, from which to choose. From a slightly later period comes another collection, a dazzling array of Art Deco lacquer and eggshell enamel cases. Late 19th century European furniture is still to be found in South Africa and, in this vein, a highlight of the sale is a pair of monumental Venetian blackamoors, parcel-gilt, ebonised and carved in the manner of Valentino Besarel. Complementing an extensive selection of English furniture we have a wide range of Colonial furniture, including examples from the Cape, Batavia, China and India, particularly Vizagapatam and Goa. The sale also features jewellery, English and Continental silver, and Oriental pieces.

Media Liaison
Bina Genovese
bina@straussart.co.za
Tel: +27 21 683 6560
Website: www.straussart.co.za

Important South African & International Art,
Furniture, Decorative Arts & Jewellery

Monday 17 March 2014

The Vineyard Hotel, Newlands, Cape Town

Preview:
Friday 14 to Sunday 16 March, 10am to 5pm

Walkabouts with Stephan Welz and Emma Bedford:
Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 March at 11am

Enquiries: +27 (0) 21 683 6560
Contact numbers during viewing and auction: mobile +27 (0) 78 044 8185 Fax +27 (0) 21 683 6560

Catalogues are available online and can be purchased at R150 of from our offices.

www.straussart.co.za

Note to editors:
Strauss & Co is South Africa’s leading fine art auction house and the global leader in the South African art market. With an average turnover per annum in excess of R159 million and an average sell-through rate of 83%, Strauss & Co has sold the 8 most expensive paintings ever auctioned in South Africa and holds numerous artists’ records. Strauss & Co, founded on unsurpassed expertise and professionalism, is synonymous with top quality art, decorative arts and jewellery. Strauss & Co was established in 2008 by celebrated figures in the business world, Elisabeth Bradley, Dr Conrad Strauss and art doyen, Stephan Welz, with the purpose of placing auctioneering on a plane worthy of the best South Africa has to offer in both the fine and decorative arts.