Strauss & co - 10 October 2016, Cape Town

428 Pranas DOMSAITIS SOUTH AFRICAN 1 880-1965 Karoo Scene signed oil on board 50 by 61cm R40 000–60 000 429 Nerine Constantia DESMOND SOUTH AFRICAN 1 908-1993 Xhosa Girl with Goats signed oil on board 46 by 59cm R40 000–60 000 A member of the New Group, Nerine Desmond nurtured a long-held interest in pastoral themes and often painted sheep or goats and their herders. It may be assumed that this work was painted in the mid 1950s when other known works on related themes were produced. With a sure sense of design developed during her studies at the Central School of Art in London, Desmond transposes the black of the herder’s head cloth and bowl to the goats to suggest a unity of nature and culture. Her knowledge of animal anatomy underlies the rhythmic movement of the goats and provides a sound foundation for this idyllic scene of rustic contentment. 427 428 429 165