Notes

This large-scale and quietly imposing work dates from 1945. The 1940s were a period of stylistic consolidation for Pierneef. The finest paintings from this period contain clarity of light and form, balanced colour harmonies and clearly delineated monumental forms. His uncanny ability to fuse the natural elements into a harmonious whole earned the artist his reputation as South Africa’s foremost landscape painter.

Highveld Landscape comprises a rolling grassy plain which passes through an assortment of trees before arriving at some steeply rising conical hills and mountains. Forming thunderclouds further enhance the extensive dramatic sky, rising in the background. Pierneef bridges earth and sky with an imposing thorn tree in a powerful vertical movement and arcshaped tracery of boughs and branches which echo the cloud formations and hills below.

Family lore makes mention that this work was returned to the artist by the owner’s wife, as it lacked what she believed to be his signature feature, the large thorn tree. The artist obliged and it is hard to imagine this painting without it.

Provenance

A retirement gift for Mr Edgar Franck, Bank Manager of Barclays Bank in Pretoria, thence by descent.

Estate Late Nicole Monique Jacqueline Franck.