ARTWORKS by South African visual artist Irma Stern, that will go under the hammer in London on March 12, stand to fetch between R6-million and R15-million a piece.
One of the country's treasures that has raised eyebrows is the painting Zulu Woman, which the art community believes is a national heritage.
Stern, who was born in 1894 and died in 1966, achieved national and international recognition in her lifetime. Stern's collection is of exotic figures, portraits, lush landscapes and still lives.
She conveyed these subjects in a variety of media, ranging from oils and water colours to gouache and charcoal.
As Stern's reputation is without equal in the field of South African art, there is every reason to believe it qualifies as something very special.
Giles Peppiatt, director of South African art at Bonhams Auction House in London, said Stern's work continued to remain in high demand on the international art scene.
Peppiatt said Stern's paintings that are to be auctioned are estimated to fetch between R6-million and R15-million a piece.
"One of the exciting things about fine art auctioneering is the way in which you get to see trends developing, artists reputations rising and falling and new names emerging. The last five years has seen a virtual revolution in the assessment of South African art, with prices reaching multi-millions for the first time."
He said Stern's most valuable works date from 1945, when she painted a series of portraits in Zanzibar.
"Stern didn't paint Zulus often. It (Zulu Woman) is current because Zuma is president and he is a Zulu. It is also important to see how South African heritage is sold at auctions," he said.
Since the announcement of the auction there have been mixed reactions in the creative world, with many people strongly believing that Stern's art works are a South African national heritage.
International art historian Dr. Ralf Seippel says it is a pity that Stern's work will be auctioned.
"Those paintings are a national heritage now, they belong to the country.
" I have realised that the South African government does not pride itself about its own culture and heritage. Thousands of works by local artists are adorning world walls instead of being kept at home as a treasure."
Seippel, who is originally from Germany where Stern's parents come from, says South Africa needs to have a foundation that will make sure such art works remain in the country.
"Many South African art works are all over the world. In Germany we have a trust fund that makes sure these paintings are not sold outside the country. They are kept because it's a heritage."
He further says that what is happening now is a repeat of what occurred 300 years ago in art history.
Arts and Culture spokesman Mack Lewele said the National Heritage Resources Act gives South African Heritage Resources Agency (Sahra) the responsibility to issue permits for heritage objects or artworks to leave the country.
"The department cannot prevent artworks from being sold and bought voluntarily at auctions.
However, it does not have the resources to buy these works at the numerous auctions throughout the world.
"If there is information about specific artworks that have been taken out of the country without permission, this information should be made available, so the necessary investigations can take place and those responsible be prosecuted."
Peppiatt says the most consistent trend during this time is the pre-eminence of Stern.
"She was the first European-trained painter to depict African scenes in a way that was demonstrably African.
"You could argue that she actually helped to create a new kind of art - painted by whites but with an African aesthetic."
In March last year, her painting Arab Priest sold for R34-million, while previously her Bahora Girl was sold for about R25.5-million.
The Pink Sari, which was painted in 1947, is expected to sell for R14.5-million.
Erin Torkelson of African.org blog says Sahra should have denied the London auction house an export permit on the grounds that the exportation of the painting, deemed a cultural treasure, would be a loss to the national estate.
"Any work of art that was denied a permit should first be offered to a national cultural institution for purchase, but such institutions have limited budgets."
Lewele said that the Department of Arts and Culture together with Sahra have in the past (and continue to do so) intervened to ensure that the national heritage estate remains in the country.
"There were instances where we actually stopped auctions of SA heritage works. The artwork, like so many artworks, left the country without a permit when the owner may have emigrated.
"It is not possible to estimate whether it left before the promulgation of the National Heritage Resources Act of 1999.
"However, Bonhams created an international market for the sale of South African art, and this one was probably sourced during their promotion."
Zulu woman to be auctioned in London
ARTWORKS by South African visual artist Irma Stern, that will go under the hammer in London on March 12, stand to fetch between R6-million and R15-million a piece.
One of the country's treasures that has raised eyebrows is the painting Zulu Woman, which the art community believes is a national heritage.
Stern, who was born in 1894 and died in 1966, achieved national and international recognition in her lifetime. Stern's collection is of exotic figures, portraits, lush landscapes and still lives.
She conveyed these subjects in a variety of media, ranging from oils and water colours to gouache and charcoal.
As Stern's reputation is without equal in the field of South African art, there is every reason to believe it qualifies as something very special.
Giles Peppiatt, director of South African art at Bonhams Auction House in London, said Stern's work continued to remain in high demand on the international art scene.
Peppiatt said Stern's paintings that are to be auctioned are estimated to fetch between R6-million and R15-million a piece.
"One of the exciting things about fine art auctioneering is the way in which you get to see trends developing, artists reputations rising and falling and new names emerging. The last five years has seen a virtual revolution in the assessment of South African art, with prices reaching multi-millions for the first time."
He said Stern's most valuable works date from 1945, when she painted a series of portraits in Zanzibar.
"Stern didn't paint Zulus often. It (Zulu Woman) is current because Zuma is president and he is a Zulu. It is also important to see how South African heritage is sold at auctions," he said.
Since the announcement of the auction there have been mixed reactions in the creative world, with many people strongly believing that Stern's art works are a South African national heritage.
International art historian Dr. Ralf Seippel says it is a pity that Stern's work will be auctioned.
"Those paintings are a national heritage now, they belong to the country.
" I have realised that the South African government does not pride itself about its own culture and heritage. Thousands of works by local artists are adorning world walls instead of being kept at home as a treasure."
Seippel, who is originally from Germany where Stern's parents come from, says South Africa needs to have a foundation that will make sure such art works remain in the country.
"Many South African art works are all over the world. In Germany we have a trust fund that makes sure these paintings are not sold outside the country. They are kept because it's a heritage."
He further says that what is happening now is a repeat of what occurred 300 years ago in art history.
Arts and Culture spokesman Mack Lewele said the National Heritage Resources Act gives South African Heritage Resources Agency (Sahra) the responsibility to issue permits for heritage objects or artworks to leave the country.
"The department cannot prevent artworks from being sold and bought voluntarily at auctions.
However, it does not have the resources to buy these works at the numerous auctions throughout the world.
"If there is information about specific artworks that have been taken out of the country without permission, this information should be made available, so the necessary investigations can take place and those responsible be prosecuted."
Peppiatt says the most consistent trend during this time is the pre-eminence of Stern.
"She was the first European-trained painter to depict African scenes in a way that was demonstrably African.
"You could argue that she actually helped to create a new kind of art - painted by whites but with an African aesthetic."
In March last year, her painting Arab Priest sold for R34-million, while previously her Bahora Girl was sold for about R25.5-million.
The Pink Sari, which was painted in 1947, is expected to sell for R14.5-million.
Erin Torkelson of African.org blog says Sahra should have denied the London auction house an export permit on the grounds that the exportation of the painting, deemed a cultural treasure, would be a loss to the national estate.
"Any work of art that was denied a permit should first be offered to a national cultural institution for purchase, but such institutions have limited budgets."
Lewele said that the Department of Arts and Culture together with Sahra have in the past (and continue to do so) intervened to ensure that the national heritage estate remains in the country.
"There were instances where we actually stopped auctions of SA heritage works. The artwork, like so many artworks, left the country without a permit when the owner may have emigrated.
"It is not possible to estimate whether it left before the promulgation of the National Heritage Resources Act of 1999.
"However, Bonhams created an international market for the sale of South African art, and this one was probably sourced during their promotion."
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