Prof EM Hamman

Portrait of Prof EM Hamman by the South African artist, Irmin Henkel (1921-1977). Prof Eduard (Eddie) Muntingh Hamman (1912-1987) was the seventh Principal of the University of Pretoria and his tenure stretched between 1970 and 1981. 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. Short Biography: Irmin Henkel was born in Renburg, Hanover in Germany during 1921 and he became a resident of South Africa in 1951. He was a self-taught artist who mostly specialized in still life and portraits. Art was however not his first occupation, Henkel was a fully qualified orthopaedic surgeon who worked at the Pretoria Provincial Hospital (today Steve Biko Hospital). During the Second World War he served as a doctor in the German military, practising orthopaedic surgery. Henkel achieved rapid prominence as a portraitist in South Africa, and his skills made him the almost automatic choice for official government commissions. He possessed an engaging insouciant manner and sense of humour, which relaxed the sitter and enabled the artist to observe his characteristic disposition and expressions. His portraits were usually effective likenesses of the subject, but they fluctuate markedly in artistic quality. Henkel’s handling of subject matter other than portraits was relaxed and colourful; his style in all was usually loosely naturalistic as was his many works with flowers and still life subjects.