Notes

Robert Hodgins was born in London and immigrated to South Africa in 1938. He studied art at Goldsmiths College, London University and after returning to South Africa taught first at the Pretoria College of Art (1954–1962) and then at Wits University (1966–1983), when he took early retirement. Primarily known as a painter, he was also renowned as a printmaker and in 2007 donated his archive of over 300 prints to Wits Art Museum. He is extensively represented in South African art museums and was awarded two Honorary Doctorates, Tshwane University of Technology (2005) and Wits (2006).

Replete with references to literature and theatre, Hodgins’ work is often humorous and sometimes sinister. He was centrally preoccupied with the expressive possibilities of the human body and soldiers, politicians, businessmen, prostitutes and boxers populate his work across his long career. Representations of people in positions of power are familiar motifs, as in An Eminence, a unique monotype depicting a cardinal in the Catholic Church, recognisable by his red gown, against a bright green chair. The lush colour and evocative textural modulations are typical characteristics of this expert in lithographic subtlety.

Provenance

Donated by Linda Givon