Notes

M.E.R is the pseudonym of Maria Elizabeth Rothmann (1875-1975), teacher, welfare worker and Afrikaans writer.
In 1950 the University of Stellenbosch awarded her an honorary doctorate in social work; in 1951 the University of Cape Town an honorary doctorate in literature; and in 1973 the University of South Africa awarded her an honorary doctorate in literature. In 1953 the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns awarded her the Hertzog Prize for prose and in 1965 the Federasie van Afrikaanse Kultuurvereniginge (FAK) presented her with the medal of honour for national service; the first Afrikaans woman to receive this tribute.
This portrait was done in her 92nd year and is one of a series of portraits by Jean Welz of Hertzog Prize winners commissioned by the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns.

In a letter dated 30 October 1971, addressed to the then owner of this portrait, Anna Neethling-Pohl, the celebrated actress and author, wrote: “Baie dankie tog dat ek gisteraand onder u gaste kon tel en van u geselligheid en gasvryheid kon geniet en veral ‘n deel kon hê aan u kunsskatte. Weet u, ek het in ons land en deur ons kunstenaars al mooi, heerlik-grootse kunswerke gesien en bewonder maar iets soos daardie skildery van M.E.R. staan uit soos ‘n baken in my hart. Ek is so bly dat u dit besit want in swaar dae moet dit altyd ‘n bron van besieling bly. Vir my is daar iets misties-heiligs in daardie werk.

Literature

cf. Elza Miles, The World of Jean Welz, Stellenbosch 1997, page 86, 101 and 103 where another version is illustrated.