Prof CF Schmidt

Portrait Prof CF Schmidt by Margaret Slabbert (b.1956). Professor Carl Friedrich Schmidt (1875-1948) was the fourth Principal of the University of Pretoria and his tenure stretched between 1935 and 1940. The official commission of key portraits and hence, the foundation of what is referred to as the portrait collection within the University of Pretoria, began on 9 September 1974. Prof AN Pelzer (Vice-Rector) suggested that the university commence a commission of key portraits of former Chancellors, Chairs of the Council and Principals or Rectors. Between 1974 and 2010, the line-up of portraiture of former Principals and Chancellors were completed. This tradition still continues with all new key appointments.This painting was one of the last two portraits to be completed in 2010 as there is only a single passport size photograph available of Prof CF Schmidt and this was probably the reason why it was painted last. Short Biography: Margaret Slabbert was born in 1956 in Pretoria using mainly her maiden surname, Margaret Gradwell as a South African artist. She studied at University of Pretoria where she also became a lecturer in 1980 and in 1999 she became an associate Professor. Gradwell’s work appears in private, corporate, public and diplomatic collections, amongst others: Mayor’s Office of the City of Tshwane, University of Pretoria, Pretoria Art Museum, Pietersburg Art Gallery, HSRC, Lifegro, Saambou, Klerksdorp Municipality, Department of Education and Training, Pretoria, Technikon, Pretoria, UNISA School for Business Leadership, SASOL, Telkom, ABSA Towers (commissioned work), and National Museum for Women in the Arts, Washington DC, USA. Her work depicts dynamic dualistic landscapes and open still life.