Literature

Karin Skawran and Michael Macnamara (1985) Walter Battiss, Johannesburg: A D Donker, another impression from the edition illustrated in colour on page 89.

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 119 and 121, cat. no. 1973.12.S8*.

Provenance

The Collection of Professor Murray Schoonraad.

Notes

Battiss was not one to shy away from the erotic, garnering some controversy from the public and critics alike. He was accused of 'descending into pornography' in an article published in The Sunday Times, published 2 December 1973.¹

The artist vehemently opposed this claim. Stating "To me, as an artist, love-making is an essential part of man. It relates to all creation."² Once again inspired by Picasso, Battiss aimed to push the boundaries of the South African art cannon.

The lot 60, 61 and 62 are striking examples of Battiss' erotic prints, depicting male and female figures in an explicit and often exaggerated manner that was not in line with the South African art world in the early 70s.

¹Warren Siebrits (ed) (2016) Walter Battiss: "I Invented Myself", exhibition catalogue, Johannesburg: The Ampersand Foundation, page 118.

²Ibid., page 118.