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Hats off: an intimate view of Stern and her inner circle

25 Apr 2016

Stern’s portrait of Freda Feldman offers a rare glimpse of the artist’s circle of friends and early patrons. Freda Feldman was married to Richard Feldman, a prominent Johannesburg businessman and public figure who championed Stern during her early career. Irma and Freda were close friends, sharing a taste for elegant dinner parties and fashionable hats – the “paraphernalia of culture” as the artist once described her cultivated tastes in a 1921 letter. Stern’s portrait, rendered in an unusual (for the artist) realist manner, is important beyond its style and subject. Stern never produced any painted self-portraits during her prolific career, in part due to her difficult relationship with her body. Some commentators have suggested that Stern found a visual surrogate in Freda.

Stern produced numerous portraits of Freda Feldman – in charcoal, gauche, and oil – of which Portrait of Freda Feldman in Basotho Hat is undoubtedly the most important. This 60 by 55cm oil on canvas portrait is valued at R5 000 000 – 7 000 000. The work is being offered with the original Basotho hat (or mokorotlo) worn by the sitter.

Admirers of Stern living in Cape Town will have a rare opportunity to view this important work before it goes under the hammer. Portrait of Freda Feldman in Basotho Hat will be on view at the artist’s former Cape Town home, The Firs, now the Irma Stern Museum, on 4 and 5 May (Wednesday and Thursday) between 10am and 5pm. Strauss & Co specialists will be in attendance on 4 May (Wednesday) to hold valuations. Valuations are by appointment and cost R20 per artwork. Funds raised will benefit the museum.

Irma Stern Portrait of Freda Feldman in Basotha Hat Estimate R5 000 000 – 7 000 000

Irma Stern Museum
Cecil Road
Rosebank
Cape Town
www.straussart.co.za

For an appointment: 021 683 6560 | ct@straussart.co.za

Bina Genovese
Press enquiries
083 680 9944 / bina@straussart.co.za