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Strauss & Co Achieves Exceptional Results for Rare Early William Kentridge Wildlife Drawings from Engen Collection

18 Nov 2025

Johannesburg: Strauss & Co is proud to announce the outstanding success of a rare and historically significant body of early work by internationally acclaimed South African artist William Kentridge, presented during its November Johannesburg Auction Week.

The suite of 15 wildlife drawings, commissioned in 1985 for Mobil’s (now Engen) Cape Town headquarters, represents a pivotal moment in Kentridge’s development as a draughtsman. Revered for their sensitivity, technical mastery, and insight into the artist’s early creative concerns, these works drew widespread global interest.

The sale ignited fierce competitive bidding from across the world, with telephone bidders from London, New York, and Dubai, culminating in a White Glove result with all 15 lots sold.

The top-performing lot, Grey Crowned Crane, achieved an impressive R901 095, followed by Stretching Cheetah, which realised R750 913, both far exceeding expectations.

“This remarkable result underscores the enduring power and relevance of Kentridge’s early practice. We are honoured to have brought such an important and  unique body of work to market, and delighted by the strong local and international response. The result confirms Strauss & Co’s ongoing success with single artist auctions” commented Dr Alastair Meredith, Director and Strauss & Co Art Department Head after the auction.

The success of this sale further cements Strauss & Co’s standing as the premier platform for South African art, and highlights the continued global appetite for the work of William Kentridge.

William Kentridge, Untitled (Grey Crowned Crane)

William Kentridge, Untitled (Stretching Cheetah)

William Kentridge, Untitled (Gemsbok)

PUBLIC EVENTS:

Join the Art Specialist team on Saturday the 15th & Sunday 16th November at 11am for an in-depth exploration of the art and artists featured in the Johannesburg November 2025 

Johannesburg Flagship Week 2025

LIVE

Evening Sale: Modern and Contemporary Art

7:00pm Tue, 18 Nov 2025 SAST

ONLINE

Day Sale: Modern and Contemporary Art

Closes 2:00pm Tue, 18 Nov 2025 SAST

ONLINE

The Starcke Collection of African Art

Closes 2:00pm Wed, 19 Nov 2025 SAST

LIVE

William Kentridge Drawings from the Engen Collection

7:00pm Mon, 17 Nov 2025 SAST

Open for Viewing daily from 9 – 4pm

Saturday 15 November 9 – 4pm

Sunday 16 November 9 – 4pm

Join the Art Specialist team on Saturday the 15th & 16th November at 11am for an in-depth exploration of the art and artists featured in the Johannesburg November 2025 

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