Various Authors

19th and 20th Century South African Art and Architecture, eight

Session 1
About the Session

Esme Berman was a pioneering South African art historian, writer and gallerist. At a time when South African art lacked formal documentation she was one of the first writers to systematically document South African art history in her book Art & Artists of South Africa. By travelling the country to visit artists and collect first-hand interviews on their work and practice, Berman created this foundational reference book.

The first edition was published in 1970, and it quickly became the go-to reference for students, collectors, curators and institutions. Later in 1993, she released a second edition which was expanded, including more artists and information. There are 7 copies of these books available on the auction.

At times reference books can be overlooked, but they are instrumental in shaping how we come to understand art and artists over time. And for collectors, they give context for the artist, and deepen the connection and understanding when it comes to buying.


Sold for

ZAR 1 802
Lot 47
  • Various Authors; 19th and 20th Century South African Art and Architecture, eight
  • Various Authors; 19th and 20th Century South African Art and Architecture, eight


Lot Estimate Change Currency
ZAR 1 500 - 2 000
Selling Price
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
ZAR 1 802
Location
Johannesburg
Shipping
Condition Report
May include additional detailed images

About this Item

Various Authors
19th and 20th Century South African Art and Architecture, eight
(1) W H Wilkins (ed) (1913) South Africa a Century Ago, Letters written from the Cape of Good Hope (1791 - 1801) by The Lady Anne Barnard, Cape Town: T Maskew Miller, hard cover, sixth impression

(2) A Gordon-Brown (1975) Pictorial Africana, A Survey of old South African Paintings, Drawings and Prints to the end of the nineteenth century with a biographical dictionary of one thousand artists, Cape Town: A A Balkema, hard cover with dust jacket, illustrated in black and white and colour

(3) J J Redgrave & Edna Bradlow (1958) Frederick I'ons, Artist, Cape Town: Maskew Miller, hard cover with dust jacket, illustrated in black and white with colour plates

(4) C de Bosdari (1954) Anton Anreith, Africa's First Sculptor, Cape Town: A A Balkema, hard cover in linen with dust jacket covered in plastic, illustrated in black and white

(5) Foreword by Dr. W.H.J. Punt (1964) The white-walled beauty of the Cape, Cape Town: Howard B Timmins, hard cover with dust jacket, illustrated in black and white

(6) Simon A de Villiers (1974) Otto Landsberg, 1803 - 1905, 19th Century South African Artists, Cape Town: C Struik, hard cover with dust jacket, covered in plastic, illustrated in black and white and colour

(7) Hans Fransen (1969) Architectural beauty of the old Cape as seen by Arthur Elliott, Cape Town: A A Balkema, hard cover in linen with dust jacket, illustrated in black and white

(8) Frank Bardlow (1967) Thomas Bowler, His Life and Work, Cape Town: A A Balkema, hard cover in linen with dust jacket covered in plastic, illustrated in black and white with colour plates

(8)

Notes

(1) Signed and dated 1944 by Esmé H Cohen.

(2) Signed and dated 1975 by Esmé Berman.

(3) Signed and dated 1969 by Esmé Berman.

(4) Signed and dated 1966 by Esmé Berman.

(5) Personal inscription from Esmé Berman, dated 1965.



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