Highlights from the University of Pretoria Museum Collections

The University of Pretoria has a distinguished collection of works by JH Pierneef (1886-1957). Arguably, he remains one of Africa's great landscape masters. His adoration of the uninhabited and monumental views of typical landscapes and cloud formations is evident in his work.

Wild Fig Tree  also titled, "Tree of the Bushveld" is truly iconic of the bushveld scenes and other landscapes of which Pierneef was very fond. The presence of trees and his fascination with them began at an early age, while exploring the bushveld near his home in the Transvaal Highveld, today known as Gauteng. He was particularly fond of various tree species, how the trunks, branches and leaves contributed to the forms against the backdrop of summer storm clouds. Pierneef managed to capture the South African landscape in a unique way that no other artist could.

Another iconic art collection of the University of Pretoria is  by bequest of the South African artist, Christo Coetzee (1929-2000) of 193 works. Through his interpretation and brilliant mind, Coetzee’s work Harlequins homage to the Guernica pays homage to Picasso’s Guernica. 

This work reflects a common subject in Coetzee's work: the female portrait. Depicting pearls, flowers, bridal attire and pendants themed along the lines of love through an avant-garde and unconventional style. 

Bust of Sisyphus depicts a portrait of the ancient Greek king Sisyphus, who was punished by Zeus. Coetzee's  claimed this painting reflected on the "maddening effect of art", a reflection  and criticism of the hubristic images artists and art historians of the time had of themselves.

This work, titled in Afrikaans as "Blikkiesdorp" (1940) or squatter camp, is by the South African artist Gregoire Boonzaier (1909-2005). Boonzaier is seen as the father of Cape Impressionism, a local stylistic form related to the western Impressionism school. His artworks range from still life paintings, landscapes and portraits. Along with artists Walter Battiss, Lippy Lipschitz, Frieda Lock and Terence McCaw. Boonzaier was a founder of the New Group in 1938 and his subject matter often contributed to the struggle against apartheid.  

The University has a few works by Walter Battiss (1902-1982), a great contributor to our art history. He described himself, as a "first neo-primitive in South Africa" and claimed that, “Art is a virus, which, having taken hold, is difficult to get out of the system”.  

South African Studio Ceramic
Johannesburg, ca. 1960
Flora-Anne Ware (1951-1972) Glazed Earthenware
120mm 98mm

Nic Sithole
South African ceramicist
Pretoria, Mamelodi
High-fired earthenware
690mm x 480 mm  

Low-fired earthenware, ca. 1975. Venda pots are traditionally finished with red ochre pigment and burnished graphite. They are hand-coiled and pit fired. Traditional ceramics such as these can date back to the 14th and 15th century.  

Crescent Potteries (1952-1992)
Slip-cast earthenware
51mm x 120mm

South African Studio Ceramic
Lucia Ware, 1945-1950
Glazed earthenware
110mm x 90mm

Portrait of King Khama (1837-1923)
by Anton van Wouw (1862-1945)

Fanie Eloff (1885-1947)
Bronze
610mm

Anton van Wouw (1862-1945)
Bronze
440mm

Fanie Eloff (1884-1947)
Bronze

Fanie Eloff (1885-1947)
Carrara Marble
360mm

Johannes Maswanganyi (b.1949)
Painted wood
1500mm x 600mm  

Avitha Sooful (b. 1964)
Wood (Silver Oak) & barbed wire
800mm x 480mm 

Anton Smit (b. 1945)
Metal
2350mm x 1700mm x 600mm