Artist Database

Johannes Meintjes was a prolific painter, as well as a broadcaster, historian, diarist, costume and set designer, playwright and published author (35 books).

After the death of Meintjes’s father in 1928, the family moved from their sheep farm near Molteno to Riversdale where Meintjes struck up a friendship with JEA Volschenk. The older artist encouraged his young friend’s love of art and after the family moved to Cape Town in 1938 Meintjes studied in earnest under Florence Zerffi. He completed a bachelor’s degree at UCT in English Literature and at the age of 21 he published a book on Maggie Laubser, with whom he had developed a close friendship after seeing her work on exhibition.

Meintjes first exhibition at the Gainsborough Gallery in Johannesburg in 1944 brought him immediate public acclaim and financial success. From 1945 to 1947 he studied at the Central School of Art in London, and later, back in Cape Town, he worked as an artist, broadcaster and writer. He lectured at the Worcester School of Drama and at the Cape Technical College.

He participated in solo and group exhibitions throughout his life, both in South Africa and internationally, and his works are present in numerous collections, both public and private.