Art Rooted in Nature: Evening Sale

Live Virtual Auction, 25 June 2024

Evening Sale
About the Session

South African artists have long drawn inspiration from the earth, capturing the beauty and complexity of flora and landscapes, with their works. The selection for sale emphasises themes of both human and non-human elements in nature, reflecting a profound connection to the environment.

This auction showcases a rich artwork medley that delves into the intricate relationship between the natural world and artistic expression. Featuring botanical depictions, landscapes, coastal scenes, floral still lifes and garden scenes in the Cape and beyond, the sale highlights the enduring relevance of nature in art, especially in the context of contemporary ecological concerns.

This auction celebrates the harmony between scientific precision and artistic creativity, making a compelling case for the ongoing relevance of depicting nature.

Running from 7 to 25 June to coincide with the Hermanus Fynarts Festival 2024, the Strauss & Co auction aims to complement the festival’s vibrant celebration of creativity in all its forms.


Sold for

ZAR 93 800
Lot 204
  • Alex Emsley; Variations on a Theme, diptych
  • Alex Emsley; Variations on a Theme, diptych
  • Alex Emsley; Variations on a Theme, diptych
  • Alex Emsley; Variations on a Theme, diptych
  • Alex Emsley; Variations on a Theme, diptych
  • Alex Emsley; Variations on a Theme, diptych
  • Alex Emsley; Variations on a Theme, diptych


Lot Estimate
ZAR 70 000 - 90 000
Selling Price
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
ZAR 93 800

About this Item

South African 1973-
Variations on a Theme, diptych

each signed with the artist's initials

oil on board
each: 45 by 34,5cm excluding frame; 48 by 37,5 by 5,5cm including frame

Notes

“I have found a home within the genre of still life, and above all else I prefer to paint flowers. My petalled subjects are not the flawless shopping-mall variety. Instead, I seek out gnarled and blemished specimens – flowers that bear scars. My paintings are depictions of the broken, the damaged, and the imperfect.”—Alex Emsley1

1. Alex Emsley, online, https://alexemsley.com/, accessed 23 May 2024.

View all Alex Emsley lots for sale in this auction