Curatorial Voices: African Landscapes, Past and Present

Live Virtual Auction, 19 February 2024

Curatorial Voices: African Landscapes, Past and Present
About the Session

From Thomas Baines to Jake Aikman, Curatorial Voices: African Landscapes, Past and Present will showcase art by pioneering modernist and trailblazing contemporary artists, spanning 175 years of visual landscape painting on the African continent. This comprehensive auction reveals a nuanced understanding of the diverse cultural, historical, and environmental contexts that have shaped artistic representations of the landscape. Through an examination of various themes, the auction seeks to engage viewers in a dialogue that transcends time and space, connecting past representations to contemporary perspectives. The auction attempts to engage with the diversity of artists that have shaped and continue to shape the depiction of Africa through time.

The auction invites viewers on a captivating journey through the artistic expressions that mirror the multifaceted nature of African terrain. Through meticulous  curation and insightful analysis, the catalogue aspires to be a valuable resource for scholars, art enthusiasts and anyone eager to embark on a thought-provoking exploration of Africa’s rich and complex artistic heritage.

Curatorial Voices
Recognising the dynamic discourse surrounding African Landscape, both past and present, the auction features texts by invited contemporary curators responding to the auction selection and themes. As external voices, they provide critical insights into the complexities of the landscape theme. By amplifying these contemporary perspectives, the exhibition seeks to bridge the gap between traditional representations and the ever-evolving discourse on the role of African art within the global art market.

Azza Satti, Independent Curator, Kenya
Azu Nwagbogu, Founder and Director of the African Artists’ Foundation (AAF), Nigeria
Camilla van Hoogstraten, Head of Sales, Latitudes Online
Ugoma Ebilah, Curator, Gallerist & Founder of Bloom Art
Nkgopoleng Moloi, Independent Curator, South Africa


Sold for

ZAR 112 413
Lot 57
  • Jacob Hendrik Pierneef; Boomstudies, Waterberg
  • Jacob Hendrik Pierneef; Boomstudies, Waterberg
  • Jacob Hendrik Pierneef; Boomstudies, Waterberg


Lot Estimate
ZAR 90 000 - 120 000
VAT is charged on both hammer & premium for daggered lots
Selling Price
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
ZAR 112 413

About this Item

South African 1886-1957
Boomstudies, Waterberg

signed, dated 1915 and inscribed 'Waterberg Sept 15'; numbered '13890' on an Edrich Gallery label adhered to the reverse

pastel and charcoal on toned paper
32 by 43cm excluding frame; 54,5 by 65 by 3cm including frame

Notes

Trees held a central fascination for Pierneef throughout his extensive body of work. He developed his skills in painting and printmaking on a foundation of adept drawing, refining this craft through numerous examinations of trees, or as he referred to them, "boomstudies." The present piece is a testament to this dedication.

Pierneef's mastery of line is showcased in this study, where he skillfully traces the twisting branches of trees he came across during his expeditions to the Bushveld. His exploration of non-naturalistic colours, vividly portrayed in the foliage of the trees, reflects his drive to elevate elements of the South African landscape.

Provenance

Marita Pierneef-Bailey Private Collection.

The DinksFãStan Private Collection.

Literature

P G Nel (ed) (1990) J H Pierneef: His Life and His Work, Cape Town and Johannesburg: Perskor Publishers, illustrated on page 159.

View all Jacob Hendrik Pierneef lots for sale in this auction



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