On Sept. 19, 2023, Strauss & Co, a prominent art auction house in South Africa, will showcase Irma Stern’s significant portrait, titled, “Praying Arab.”
The masterpiece, originating from a distinguished private collection, hails from Stern’s second visit to the East African island of Zanzibar in 1945. Its rich history is well-documented in various publications, and it boasts an impressive exhibition record.
Frank Kilbourn, the chairperson of Strauss & Co, expressed his enthusiasm in a press statement, stating: “We are honored to present this impressive painting from Irma Stern’s illustrious Zanzibar years. ‘Praying Arab’ showcases all the hallmarks of a peak Stern, notably a vibrant palette, confident brushwork and descriptive detail. We are delighted to also offer ‘Red Dahlias,’ a powerful late-career flower painting executed in 1955. Stern is best known for her portraits and still lifes, with work in both genres commanding excellent prices. In 2011, we sold ‘Two Arabs,’ made during an earlier visit to Zanzibar in 1939, for R21.1 million ($1.1 million). The price established an African record that stood until March 2023, when we sold ‘Children Reading the Koran’ for R22.3 million ($1.17 million).”
“Praying Arab” stands as a remarkable representation of Stern’s distinctive style during her golden period, roughly spanning from 1933 to 1948, during which she refined her descriptive style. Stern’s familiarity with Zanzibar, gained from numerous sea voyages to Europe, enriched her portrayal of its people. As she once told a reporter in 1946: “The Zanzibarians are not types – they are all people.” The significance of “Praying Arab” is evident from its central placement in her artist’s book, “Zanzibar” (1948).
Presented in its original period frame, specially commissioned by the artist from a Zanzibar craftsman, the artwork garnered praise when it was first exhibited in Cape Town in 1946.
The Cape Times commended its “textural qualities of the draperies and flesh values,” while the Cape Argus ranked it among the finest, describing it as “particularly brilliant” and “magnificent.” Morris Cohen, a pioneering psychiatrist, art collector, and fervent Stern supporter, acquired “Praying Arab” directly from the artist.
Painted in 1955, “Red Dahlias” serves as an exquisite example of Stern’s masterful flower studies, showcasing her signature flamboyant style. The painting was part of Stern’s comprehensive exhibition tour in Germany during the mid-1950s, marking her return to the German art scene after a hiatus of over two decades. It graced galleries in Munich, Linz, and Berlin before returning to Cape Town, where a critic lauded its “voluptuous vitality.”
Stern’s “Praying Arab” and “Red Dahlias” are integral components of a remarkable collection of modern and contemporary art set to be auctioned on Tues., Sept. 19, 2023, in Cape Town. Strauss & Co will host a live-virtual auction featuring significant contemporary works by artists such as Zander Blom, Nicholas Hlobo, William Kentridge, and Mohau Modisakeng.
The auction venue is Strauss & Co, Brickfield Canvas, located at 35 Brickfield Road, Woodstock, Cape Town.
The exhibition will be open for viewing from Sept. 11 to 19, daily from 10AM to 5PM.
