Modern, Post-War and Contemporary Art, Decorative Arts, Jewellery and Fine Wine

Live Virtual Auction, 8 - 11 November 2020

Modern, Post-War and Contemporary Art Part II

Sold for

ZAR 204 840
Lot 885
  • Neels Coetzee; Figure and Shield II
  • Neels Coetzee; Figure and Shield II
  • Neels Coetzee; Figure and Shield II
  • Neels Coetzee; Figure and Shield II
  • Neels Coetzee; Figure and Shield II


Lot Estimate
ZAR 200 000 - 300 000
Selling Price
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
ZAR 204 840

About this Item

South African 1940-2013
Figure and Shield II
1977

signed with the artist's initials and numbered 2/6

bronze with a dark brown patina on a steel base
length: 22cm including base; width: 17,5cm; depth: 27,5cm

Notes

Cast by Sunet Ferreira, Pretoria.

‘Conceptually, the Skull Series is concerned with the human condition in a broad sense and with the tragic nature of [wo/] man’s destiny. There is not one work in the series which does not take on the character of either the whole body or parts of a body; the viewer can discern backs and heads, elements which hook and gauge. Tears, cracks and lacerations characterise these skulls repeatedly. The shield-like forms symbolising ineffectual defence are invariably dented and torn. The skulls, in their context of racks, grillers and tumbling structures, set up an interaction between solid and void that heightens the sense of emotional tension and conflict.’1

  1. Neels Coetzee (1985) The Skull: Formal and Iconographical Sculptural Derivations, unpublished Master’s dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, page 40.

 

Literature

Heather Martienssen (1978) Neels Coetzee, Johannesburg: Afrox, another cast from the edition illustrated in colour on page 18.

Koulla Xinisteris (2015) Neels Coetzee: Crucible, Johannesburg: Everard Read, illustrated in colour on pages 45, 46, 47 and 51.

Linda Givon (2016) Off the Wall, Johannesburg: Wits Art Museum, illustrated in colour on page 19.

View all Neels Coetzee lots for sale in this auction


Other lots that might interest you
William Kentridge; Nose II
William Kentridge
Nose II
ZAR 600 000 - 800 000
Edoardo Villa; Two Figures
Edoardo Villa
Two Figures
ZAR 120 000 - 150 000
Edoardo Villa; Torso
Edoardo Villa
Torso
ZAR 80 000 - 120 000
Speelman Mahlangu; Twins
Speelman Mahlangu
Twins
ZAR 300 000 - 500 000
Stanley Nkosi; Man in Despair
Stanley Nkosi
Man in Despair
ZAR 50 000 - 70 000
Dylan Lewis; Trans-Figure XXI, maquette (S282)
Dylan Lewis
Trans-Figure XXI, maquette (S282)
ZAR 500 000 - 550 000