Cecil Skotnes

(South African, 1926–2009)

Cecil Skotnes was a white South African artist best known for his neo-Primitivist painted woodcut reliefs and prints. Throughout his oeuvre, Skotnes was noted for seamlessly merging elements of Western art with elements of traditional African culture, history, and folklore. He cited the works of both Sydney Kumalo and Paul Gauguin—who also had an interest in non-Western art—as sources of inspiration, noting that in his own work “being a woodcutter by virtue of the grain of wood and technique, you tend to get a sort of Cubist quality. And that of course is very tribal,” he explained. Born on June 1, 1926 in East London, South Africa, he grew up in Johannesburg and went on to study in Florence, Italy where he was profoundly inspired by the work of early Renaissance painters like Giotto and Masaccio. Upon returning to South Africa, Skotnes merged the lessons of Western European art with the culture and history of the country, including stories surrounding the figure of the pre-Colonial Zulu king Shaka. One of his major works, The assassination of Shaka (1973) consists of 43 separate woodcuts to tell the story in visual format. He dedicated much of his career to supporting the work of black South African artists, championing them financially and critically. Today, Skotnes’ work is in the collection of the South African National Gallery in Cape Town. He died on April 4, 2009 in Cape Town, South Africa.

Cecil Skotnes Artworks

Cecil Skotnes (955 results)

Cat, 1960

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: February 4, 2013

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Two Figures

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: February 4, 2013

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Figure, 1971

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: February 4, 2013

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Robben Island series, 1987

Cecil Skotnes

Robben Island series, 1987

Sale Date: February 4, 2013

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Shaka (set of 4), 1975

Cecil Skotnes

Shaka (set of 4), 1975

Sale Date: February 19, 2013

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White Monday disaster a portfolio of..., 1975

Cecil Skotnes

White Monday disaster a portfolio of..., 1975

Sale Date: February 19, 2013

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Portrait of Willem de Sanderes Hendrikz, 1955

Cecil Skotnes

Portrait of Willem de Sanderes Hendrikz, 1955

Sale Date: November 19, 2012

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A Rocky Landscape, 1988

Cecil Skotnes

A Rocky Landscape, 1988

Sale Date: November 12, 2012

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Standing Female Form

Cecil Skotnes

Standing Female Form

Sale Date: November 12, 2012

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Abstract Male Figure

Cecil Skotnes

Abstract Male Figure

Sale Date: November 12, 2012

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Still Life with Apples, 1949

Cecil Skotnes

Still Life with Apples, 1949

Sale Date: October 8, 2012

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Head and Figure

Cecil Skotnes

Head and Figure

Sale Date: October 8, 2012

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Head

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: October 8, 2012

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Still Life with Lemons and a Wine Bottle, 1981

Cecil Skotnes

Still Life with Lemons and a Wine Bottle, 1981

Sale Date: October 8, 2012

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Still Life with Coffee Pot, 2003

Cecil Skotnes

Still Life with Coffee Pot, 2003

Sale Date: October 8, 2012

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Fallen Molise

Cecil Skotnes

Fallen Molise

Sale Date: October 16, 2012

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Head

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: October 16, 2012

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Double-sided head

Cecil Skotnes

Double-sided head

Sale Date: October 17, 2012

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Still life with coffee pot and fruits

Cecil Skotnes

Still life with coffee pot and fruits

Sale Date: October 17, 2012

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Head study, 1979

Cecil Skotnes

Head study, 1979

Sale Date: October 17, 2012

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Abstract

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: October 17, 2012

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Head, 1969

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: October 17, 2012

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Abstract head

Cecil Skotnes

Abstract head

Sale Date: October 17, 2012

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Ancestors as a table screen, 1966

Cecil Skotnes

Ancestors as a table screen, 1966

Sale Date: October 17, 2012

Auction Closed

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