Artist Database

Enslin du Plessis was born in 1894 in Standerton in the former Transvaal. Prior to World War I, he was a journalist who painted as a hobby. After serving in the armed forces, du Plessis settled in London in 1922 where he was a correspondent for South African newspapers. Although he never received formal art training, du Plessis became serious about his art in 1928. He was well-known within the London art scene and was elected as a member of the London Group in 1929. Du Plessis returned to South Africa intermittently and from 1938 he exhibited with the New Group. He retired from journalism in 1956 to focus on painting full-time. In 1972, he was awarded the South African Academy Medal of Honour for his contributions to painting.

Du Plessis’ artwork can be found in the public art collections of the Iziko South African National Gallery, Cape Town; Johannesburg Art Gallery; William Humphreys Art Gallery, Kimberley; University of Wits Art Galleries; Pretoria Art Museum; and the University of South Africa (UNISA).