A rare and undocumented painting by the celebrated South African artist Stanley Pinker last night set a new world record for the artist when it sold for R3,4 million at Strauss & Co’s auction, having been hotly contested between ten telephone bidders and buyers in the packed auction room.
The painting Love gripped the imagination of buyers at the auction that proved the South African art market continues to show great strength for works of quality and that are fresh to the market.
Other highlights were Irma Stern’s Dakar Woman which sold for R6.6 million, Alexis Preller’s Red Angel which sold for R2,8 million and a Harvest Scene by Maggie Laubser that sold for just under R2,3 million.
The sale of paintings and furniture from the RB Stuttaford Will Trust and the Estate Late Mrs DE Stuttaford-Burton realised over R3.1 million and was characterised by competitive bidding throughout. Two of the paintings’ highlights include Robert Gwelo Goodman’s impressive View of Helderberg that and the lovely Cape Town Docks and Table Bay which sold for R522,928 and R409 248 respectively.
The auction conducted by Strauss & Co in Cape Town totalled R40 million with a value sell-through rate of 88.49%.
Text and image courtesy of Strauss & Co
