Works by Chagall and Picasso headed for Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees, courtesy of Strauss & Co

24 Sep 2024

“It is a truly historic moment for Strauss & Co to present, in a single exhibition, the works of Marc Chagall and Pablo Picasso two iconic modern masters,” says Elmarie van Straten, Art Specialist, Strauss & Co. “Bringing these extraordinary artists to Stellenbosch feels like bringing a piece of Paris to Stellenbosch. These works will be for sale in our International Auction in October, which was a major success last year. We are excited to also offer the public a glimpse of highlights from our Johannesburg auction in November.”

Chagall’s mixed-media drawing La Fenêtre à Paris / The Window in Paris (estimate R6 – 8 million / $345 025 – 460 030) from 1974 presents a small figure seated beside a large flower arrangement. Picasso’s Tête / Head (estimate R6 – 8 million / $345 025 – 460 030) is a late recto-verso drawing from 1967 portraying a male figure in zesty colours.

These arresting works form part of Strauss & Co’s exciting consignment for its annual International Sale, which will be held on Wednesday, 23 October 2024, in Cape Town. They will be presented to the public for the first time at the Oude Leeskamer, a historic building located at the corner of Dorp and Drostdy Streets, Stellenbosch, and displayed alongside collectable work by important South African artists from forthcoming Strauss & Co sales.

The exhibition will be open daily throughout Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees from 10am to 5pm.

Strauss & Co will host an opening reception and cocktail for the exhibition on Monday, 30 September at 5pm. Strauss & Co chairperson Frank Kilbourn will lead insightful walkabouts of the exhibition at the Oude Leeskamer on Tuesday and Thursday, 1 & 3 October, at 3pm.

As part of its commitment to public education, Strauss & Co has invited leading art collectors, curators and writers to share their thoughts on hot-button art issues. On Tuesday, 1 October, at 11am, collector Lizelle Kilbourn and art critic Sean O’Toole will exchange opinions about the 2024 Venice Biennale. On Thursday, 3 October, at 11am, artist and curator Karel Nel, curator and art historian Hayden Proud and teacher and art historian Lize van Robbroeck will consider changing patterns of art collecting. 

Also on Thursday, 3 October, at 5pm, Strauss & Co will host a sunset celebration of art, music and wine with musician Karen Petersen. Strauss & Co’s spring occupation of Oude Leeskamer will draw to a convivial close on Friday, 4 October, at 3pm, with a fashion show and exhibition presented by acclaimed Johannesburg fashion designer Lezanne Viviers. This is the second time Strauss & Co is collaborating with the designer.

Strauss & Co will again present an auction of artworks by established and emerging artists selected by curator Teresa Lizamore. Works in the festival auction will be on view at the Stellenbosch Town Hall for the duration of the festival. Elmarie van Straten, Art Specialist, Strauss & Co, will present walkabouts of the preview exhibition, which is entitled Speel (Play), on Monday, 30 September, at 10am, and again on Friday, 4 October, at 10am. The festival online auction is hosted on Strauss & Co’s sales platform and runs from 25 September until 6 October.

Strauss & Co is a proud silver sponsor of 2024 Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees, which this year will showcase more than 400 unique productions in nearly 60 venues in and around Stellenbosch.