Press release - December 2010
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The first painting bears the hallmarks of Pierneef’s mature work: centring the focal point on an imposing natural subject such as a tree, cloud formation or mountain; the subjugation of natural forms to rhythmical structure and the rendering of a strictly controlled colour palette of subdued, harmonious tones, which together form a unified whole.1
The foreground features an array of bushveld trees, beyond which gentle undulations of landscape forms recede to the monumental granite hill.
1 Werth, A.J. (1980) Pierneef [and] Van Wouw: Painting and sculptures by two South African masters, Rembrandt van Rijn Art Foundation exhibition 1980 / 81 - catalogue, p 3
Lot 623 - Jacob Hendrik Pierneef (South African 1886-1957)
LEGOGOTE, OOS TRANSVAAL (GRANITE HILL, EASTERN TRANSVAAL)
signed and dated 44; inscribed with the artist's name and title on a label on the reverse oil on canvas 45 by 55,5cm (1) This painting bears the hallmarks of Pierneef’s mature work: centring the focal point on an imposing natural subject such as a tree, cloud formation or mountain; the subjugation of natural forms to rhythmical structure and the rendering of a strictly controlled colour palette of subdued, harmonious tones, which together form a unified whole.1 The foreground features an array of bushveld trees, beyond which gentle undulations of landscape forms recede to the monumental granite hill. I.H. 1 Werth, A.J. (1980) Pierneef [and] Van Wouw: Painting and sculptures by two South African masters, Rembrandt van Rijn Art Foundation exhibition 1980 / 81 - catalogue, p 3 LITERATURE
c.f. this composition is illustrated in pencil on pl 11 in J.F.W. Grosskopf The Man and His Work, 1947
R 2 500 000 - 3 000 000
The second of Pierneef's works shows the monumental austerity of this extensive granite extrusion near Pietersburg (Polokwane) with a simplified palette of blue and brown tones, emphasising the form with chromatic sfumato. The trees in the foreground serve both to frame the composition in addition to creating a rhythmical echo of the arched dome shapes present in the landform, and in the cumulonimbus towering above. These devices are evidence of this being a mature work by the artist.
“Pierneef drew their attention to the formal architecture of the Highveld and presented a rational and perceptive interpretation of its distinctive spatial and structural character”.1
Painted around 1940, it appears on p 94 of P.G. Nel Pierneef, His Life and His Work at the back left wall of the exhibition room at Elangeni from where he and Fanie Eloff showed a joint exhibition in 1941.
1 Berman, E. (1983) Art & Artists of South Africa - An illustrated biographical dictionary and historical survey of painters, sculptors & graphic artists since 1875, Cape Town: A.A. Balkema, p 225
Lot 624 - Jacob Hendrik Pierneef (South African 1886-1957)
BLINKKOP, LIMPOPO
signed oil on board 35 by 45cm (1) Pierneef shows the monumental austerity of this extensive granite extrusion near Pietersburg (Polokwane) with a simplified palette of blue and brown tones, emphasising the form with chromatic sfumato. The trees in the foreground serve both to frame the composition in addition to creating a rhythmical echo of the arched dome shapes present in the landform, and in the cumulonimbus towering above. These devices are evidence of this being a mature work by the artist. “Pierneef drew their attention to the formal architecture of the Highveld and presented a rational and perceptive interpretation of its distinctive spatial and structural character”.1 Painted around 1940, it appears on p 94 of P.G. Nel Pierneef, His Life and His Work at the back left wall of the exhibition room at Elangeni from where he and Fanie Eloff showed a joint exhibition in 1941. I.H. 1 Berman, E. (1983) Art & Artists of South Africa - An illustrated biographical dictionary and historical survey of painters, sculptors & graphic artists since 1875, Cape Town: A.A. Balkema, p 225 EXHIBITED
Joint Eloff-Pierneef exhibition, South African Academy, Elangeni, 1941
R 1 400 000 - 1 800 000
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