Notes

 Johannes Meintjes, Dagboek III, 18 August 1951, page 25:

"Die rit vanaf die grens tot by Piggs Peak is een van die verruklikste wat ek nog ooit ondervind het.  Ek het die arme Reg byna uit die kar geslaan in my opgewondenheid - eerstens die Swazis in hul dekoratiewe lendedoeke en kleurvolle skouerklede met pragtige ontwerpe, die groen op groen van struike, die bome vol bloeisels, kafferbome belaai met hul trosse rooi blomme, die golwende berge met 'n kwaliteit van groen fluweel, die waterstrome en aalwyne - oral kleur en ontwerp om van te beswym.  Wit bosluisvoëls op rooi koeie, groenwit bloeiselbome, pers grond.  En boonop daardie gevoel van gelukkigheid, van warmte en vriendelikheid.  Elke Swazi het ons begroet met gehefte hand en 'n pragtige glimlag."

"The drive from the border to Pigg's Peak is one of the the most magnificent I have ever experienced.  I almost knocked Reg out of the car with excitement - in the first place the Swazis in their decorative loin cloths and colourful shawls with beautiful designs, the green on green of the shrubbery, the trees covered in blossoms, coral trees heavily laden with their clusters of red blooms, the rolling mountains with the quality of green velvet, the streams and the aloes - everywhere you encounter colour and design to die for.  White cattle egrets on red cows, green-white blossoms, purple earth.  And on top of it all, a permeating atmosphere of happiness, warmth and friendliness.  Every Swazi greeted us with a raised hand and a beautiful smile."

Johannes Meintjes, Dagboek III, 17 September 1951, page 30:

"...ek is reg vir baie nuwe werk, miskien 'n reeks Swazi-skilderye."

"...I am ready for lots of new works, maybe a series of Swazi paintings."

Inspired by the brief visit to Swaziland, Meintjes executed five painitngs with Swazi themes, three in 1951 and two 1952.

Accompanied by a copy of Rand Afrikaans University, Johannesburg, Prestige Memorial Exhibition, 7 June to 6 July 1990; and a copy of Johannes Meintjes, Die Dagboek van Johannes Meintjes III, April 1951 - Junie 1955, Bamboesberg-Uitgewers, Cape Town, 1975
 

Provenance

The artist's private collection.  Purchased by the current owner from the artist's widow 10 years after the artist's death.  Mrs Ronell Meintjes referred to the Swazi Landscape as Johannes's 'museum piece' as Meintjes gave instruction that the artwork should be sold to a museum.

Exhibited

South African Arts Association Gallery, Cape Town, 4 - 15 March 1952, catalogue number 16

Port Elizabeth Art Hall, 21 - 26 July 1952, catalogue number 14

Schweickerdt Art Gallery, Pretoria, 19 - 20 August 1952, catalogue number 12

Gainsborough Gallery, Johannesburg, 11 -  24 August 1952, catalogue number 17

Rand Afrikaans University, Johannesburg, Prestige Memorial Exhibition, 7 June - 6 July 1990, catalogue number 20

South African Association of Arts, Pretoria, Prestige Memorial Exhibition (jointly with Alexis Preller), 6 - 23 August 1990, catalogue number 10

Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Bloemfontein, Prestige Memorial Exhibition, 16 October - 25 November 1990, catalogue number 17 

Literature

Johannes Meintjes, Die Dagboek van Johannes Meintjes III, April 1951 - Junie 1955, Bamboesberg-Uitgewers, Cape Town, 1975, page 25

Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Bloemfontein, Prestige Memorial Exhibition, 16 October to 25 November 1990, catalogue number 17, page 14, illustrated