Archived

Art and Glass Sparkle at Strauss & Co's Cape Town Auction in February

1 Dec 2011

Irma Stern’s Portrait of a Woman Wearing a Pink Hijab (R8 000 000 – 12 000 000), depicting a woman swathed in drapery that concentrates all attention on her expressive face, is at once a thoughtful portrait of an individual and an evocation of the cultures that have enriched Africa and the place she called home. Stern’s Two Seated Arabs (R2 500 000 – 3 000 000), with their aquiline features and simplified forms, offer an elegant reminder of the artist’s travel adventures and her passion for different cultures.

Following the record-breaking R1 559 600 achieved for a Hugo Naudé on Strauss & Co’s Johannesburg sale, a number of brilliant paintings by the artist trace his travels and interests that ranged from the Western Cape to the Holy Land. Foremost amongst these are paintings from the Krone collection, the family who pioneered brandy distillation and wine making on the oldest wine estate in South Africa.

Stanley Pinker delights with his Cézannesque The Bathers (R700 000 – 900 000) and his sassy Girl in Sunglasses (R300 000 – 500 000). Keen interest is focused on William Kentridge’s Head (R600 000 – 900 000), for which competition has seen the highest prices ever achieved at auction for a fine art print by a South African artist.

Igor Stravinsky & Four Women (R200 000 – 400 000) by Robert Hodgins is the definitive Hodgins for arts lovers providing both a portrait of the bespectacled composer and a commentary on the creative genius who is said to have had the most profound influence on the evolution of music through the emancipation of rhythm, melody, and harmony.

Also included is a remarkable collection of glass, Chinese porcelain and Japanese cloisonné from the late Professor Walter Beck. A prominent cardiologist, who formed part of Christiaan Barnard’s first heart transplant team, Professor Beck passed away earlier this year at the age of 85. His eclectic collection comprised Cape furniture, European glass from 1890 to 1960, monochromatic and blue-and-white Chinese porcelain and luminous Japanese cloisonné from the Meiji period (1868 to 1912). He was an academic with an astute eye for high quality craftsmanship and detail. The sale also features important furniture and jewellery.

For purposes of quoting, the text on the works of art was written by Emma Bedford, Senior Paintings Specialist, Strauss & Co.

Auction on Monday 6 February 2012

Session 1 at 2 pm
The Professor Walter Beck Collection of Chinese Works of Art, Ceramics, Japanese Cloisonne’, Glass and Books

Session 2 at 5 pm
Jewellery and Decorative Arts

Session 3 at 8pm
Important Furniture and South African Art

The Vineyard Hotel, Conference Centre, Newlands

Preview
From Friday 3 to Sunday 5 February from 10am to 5pm
Walkabouts
Stephan Welz and Emma Bedford, Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 February at 11am
Contact numbers
021 683 6560 / mobile 078 044 8185

Catalogues are available – they can can be purchased at our offices or viewed online: www.straussart.co.za

Media Liaison:
Bina Genovese, Executive Director 021 683 6560 / 078 044 8185