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Impact of Modernism Demonstrated in Seminal Painting
3 Jan 2013
This exceptional painting by one of South Africas most sought-after artists is made all the more rare by the fact that Wolf Kibels career was cut short in 1938 due to ill health. Like Pinkers "Castagniers", estimated at R30 000 40 000 and finally sold for R105 830 after fierce bidding at Strauss & Cos October 2010 sale, this is a key work in South African art history and belongs in a major public or serious private collection.
Houses with Red Roofs evokes the paintings produced by Cézanne, Braque and Picasso in L’Estaque, in the south of France, which were to become the cornerstones of early Analytical Cubism. In these paintings, the landscape and houses are treated alike as flat planes to be articulated across the canvas, the better to emphasise the flatness of the picture plane and art’s independence from perceived reality.
While Kibel demonstrates his awareness of these proto-Cubist developments, his painting is infused with emotion that imbues the houses with life and conveys passion through the swirling movement of the trees. Such a seminal painting that so clearly demonstrates the impact of Modernism on South African art, re-confirms what connoisseurs know – that Wolf Kibel is a major artist.
Text by Emma Bedford, Senior Paintings Specialist
Lot 505
Wolf Kibel
Houses with Red Roofs
Oil on canvas laid down on board
29,5 x 44,5cm
R300 000 – 400 000
2013 Press Releases
November
October
- 14 Oct 2013 Strauss Online: Time-limited auction sales exclusively online
- 20 Oct 2013 Pocket Money to Millions & students keen eye for art admirably rewarded
- 30 Oct 2013 As Large as Life The Ceramics of Irma Stern
- 30 Oct 2013 Seminal works from Jane Alexander's masters show destined for auction
- 30 Oct 2013 Staging a moment in art - William Kentridge and Opera
- 30 Oct 2013 Through The Eyes Of An Artist - Romantic Accounts Of Africa
September
- 7 Sep 2013 Discovery of Double-sided Laubser Painting Delights at Strauss Spring Auction
- 7 Sep 2013 Hodgins for the brave
- 7 Sep 2013 Hot Stuff from Goodman
- 7 Sep 2013 Humanist's Vision of Early Cape Town
- 7 Sep 2013 Kentridge's Queen of the Night
- 7 Sep 2013 Kruger on the Station
- 7 Sep 2013 Pierneef on a Grand Scale
- 7 Sep 2013 Preller's Exotic Explorations
- 7 Sep 2013 Stern Scintillates at Strauss & Co's October Auction
- 7 Sep 2013 Stern's Island Reveries
- 7 Sep 2013 The Pleasures of Food, Friends and Art
- 7 Sep 2013 WWF Art Auction Poised to Raise Record Funds
- 18 Sep 2013 Millions raised at WWF Art Auction
May
- 10 May 2013 Vladimir Tretchikoff's unique rendition of Prima Ballerina Assoluta, Alicia Markova
- 10 May 2013 You only live twice.....
- 15 May 2013 Strauss & Co to sell one of the world's most reproduced paintings
- 15 May 2013 Tretchi fever heats up
- 20 May 2013 R1 818 880 for Last Supper
- 24 May 2013 Private donation of iconic Chris Levin designs to boost Iziko Collection
April
- 24 Apr 2013 Iconic South African artworks spanning 160 years set to go under the hammer in May
- 29 Apr 2013 Strauss & Co goes Vintage with South African Haute Couture Legend, Chris Levin
February
January
- 1 Jan 2013 "Dis 'n genot van die hart" se Laubser
- 1 Jan 2013 Early Naude' Captures Charms of a Bygone Era at the Cape
- 1 Jan 2013 Gem of a Painting evokes Malay Quarter
- 1 Jan 2013 Large Battiss Combines Sensuality and Virtuosity
- 1 Jan 2013 One of Stern's Most Compelling Portraits
- 1 Jan 2013 Rare Siopis at Auction
- 1 Jan 2013 Van Wouw Skill Shines in Early Italian cast
- 3 Jan 2013 Cape Furniture From The Collection Of Dr Bothma Buitendag, For Sale At Strauss & Co
- 3 Jan 2013 Impact of Modernism Demonstrated in Seminal Painting
- 3 Jan 2013 Important Cape Silver presentation covered cup, John Townsend, circa 1830
- 10 Jan 2013 Contemporary Jewellery by Design Maestro Erich Frey For Sale At Strauss & Co
- 14 Jan 2013 Chairman's Report 2012