What the Fook? The Life and Work of Walter Battiss

Timed Online Auction, 12 - 30 June 2025

What the Fook? The Life and Work of Walter Battiss

Sold for

ZAR 56 280
Lot 333
  • Walter Battiss; Boy & Bird
  • Walter Battiss; Boy & Bird
  • Walter Battiss; Boy & Bird


Lot Estimate
ZAR 8 000 - 12 000USD 457 - 685
Selling Price
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
ZAR 56 280
Location
Cape Town
Shipping
Condition Report
May include additional detailed images

About this Item

South African 1906-1982
Boy & Bird

signed, dated 1971, numbered 3/10 inscribed with the title, '(First Proof)' and 'For Murray in Appreciation 24 May 1974' in pencil and ink in the margin

colour screenprint on paper
image size: 51,5 by 38,5cm; sheet size: 68,5 by 50,5cm; 75 by 60,5 by 3,5cm including frame

Provenance

The Collection of Professor Murray Schoonraad.

Notes

"This image was first produced and printed by Battiss in 1968. It was initially marked out of an edition of ten. The Pretoria Art Museum Collection holds copy 2/10 and the Pretoria Art Museum copy 1/10. It is interesting to note that Pretoria Art Museum's copy is printed with the image mirrored, facing from left to right. Most of the other prints I have seen from this edition of ten were printed in a unique colour variation. Due to the popularity of this image a later edition of 30 copies was printed by Battiss and these are usually printed white with a brown border."1

1Warren Siebrits (ed) (2016) Walter Battiss: "I Invented Myself", exhibition catalogue, Johannesburg: The Ampersand Foundation, page 86.

Literature

Jillian Carman and Susan Isaac (eds) (2005) Walter Battiss: Gentle Anarchist, exhibition catalogue, Johannesburg: Standard Bank Gallery, a similar example illustrated in colour on page 197.

Warren Siebrits (ed) (2016) Walter Battiss: "I Invented Myself", exhibition catalogue, Johannesburg: The Ampersand Foundation, another impression from the edition illustrated in colour on page 87, cat. no. 1968. 13. S8.

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