3rd Sep, 2020 20:00
Modern & Contemporary Art
129
Gerard Sekoto (South Africa 1913–1993)
Portrait of a young woman
oil on canvas
Signature details: signed top left
oil on canvas
Signature details: signed top left
(1)
47 x 36 cm
Notes:
Gerard Sekoto’s early paintings, which he produced in South Africa before he left the country in 1947 for Paris, possess an inherent rarity value as they were created within a local milieu. As significant visual records of the country’s social and cultural history, these portraits, figure studies and depictions of urban scenes brought to life the experiences of black South Africans at the time. He captured the humanity of people and the social realities of the everyday, not only as a chronicler looking in, but also as an empathetic insider of the marginalised society of which he was part.This striking portrait of a young woman is an accomplished study in oil paint. While fully frontal portraits are rare in Sekoto’s oeuvre, the work is a serious, yet compassionate characterisation of the sitter. Her presence and quiet vitality shine through – evidence of the artist’s assured handling of his medium, using fine expressive brushwork to masterfully apply vividly warm complementary colours. Stylistically characteristic of Sekoto’s work from the late 1930s to early 1940s, this painting is another exceptional example of his highly egarded ‘golden era’ paintings. In July 2019, Aspire sold Sekoto’s magnificent Lady in Red (c.1940) for just over R1.1 million. This painting seemingly depicts the same young woman in a red blouse and blue headscarf set against a luminous yellow background.
Marelize van Zyl
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Auction: Modern & Contemporary Art, 3rd Sep, 2020
This Spring, Aspire Art Auctions broke new ground with a fresh, yet considered selection of artworks that is demographically more representative and reflects the spirit of current times. With a strong focus on South Africa, the sale also proudly represented artists from 10 African countries (Benin, DRC, Ghana, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Sudan, Togo, Uganda and Zimbabwe) and international artists from Europe, the UK and USA.
A great highlight was Edoardo Villa’s monumental steel sculpture titled Traverse from 1957 which achieved R4,893,400 – an auction record for the artist. Other exceptional offerings included works by Gerard Sekoto, George Pemba, Peter Clarke and Nicholas Hlobo.
Currency conversions are based on the exchange rate at the auction's start time and date. Bidders should verify the current exchange rate on the day of the sale. All invoices and payments must be made in South African Rands.
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