Strauss & co - Review 2019

This sale marked a welcome return to form for Pierneef, whose prices had been diluted by a distressed collector privately offloading his holdings at a significant discount in 2017 and 2018. Two Pierneef works came out tops in the October sale, earning R2.73 million each. Near Thabazimbi, Tvl dates from 1943 and features interlaced camelthorn trees in a sunburnt landscape. Gold & Green, Rooiplaat, N.T. depicts Pierneef’s beloved Rooiplaat with neo-impressionist gusto and formed part of a consignment of five noteworthy early works from the Property of a Lady. The Pierneef momentum carried through to the November sale (Johannesburg), which included 14 lots by this master of the South African landscape. The top lot was Marone, District Lydenburg , a magisterial escarpment landscape from 1948, which sold for R2.5 million. “We are delighted to have a home of our own for our Johannesburg auctions,” said Frank Kilbourn during a short welcome speech preceding the November sale in Strauss & Co’s new Houghton salesroom. Speaking after the sale, Kilbourn explained the importance of the change of address for the Johannesburg sale. “Our new space is an important asset that allows Strauss & Co to showcase important work in the best possible way for longer than was previously the case, and also in ways that allows us to tell important stories. This sale featured a wonderfully curated selection of work by South African artists influenced by Paris that resulted in three new world records for artists Enslin du Plessis, Kevin Roberts and Diane Victor.” Anton van Wouw Paul Kruger Sold R10 469 600 World record for the artist 20