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)

The mask, 1981

Cecil Skotnes

The mask, 1981

Sale Date: May 29, 2012

Auction Closed

White Monday disaster (portfolio of 13..., 1975

Cecil Skotnes

White Monday disaster (portfolio of 13..., 1975

Sale Date: May 29, 2012

Auction Closed

Baudelaire's voyage (portfolio of 10 w/title , 1975

Cecil Skotnes

Baudelaire's voyage (portfolio of 10 w/title , 1975

Sale Date: May 29, 2012

Auction Closed

A Landscape with Figures and Animals

Cecil Skotnes

A Landscape with Figures and Animals

Sale Date: May 16, 2011

Auction Closed

A Portrait of a Woman

Cecil Skotnes

A Portrait of a Woman

Sale Date: May 16, 2011

Auction Closed

A Still Life with Vessels and Fruit on a Table

Cecil Skotnes

A Still Life with Vessels and Fruit on a Table

Sale Date: May 16, 2011

Auction Closed

The Family

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: May 16, 2011

Auction Closed

Two Figures

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: May 16, 2011

Auction Closed

A Still Life with Peaches in a Bowl and Vessels...

Cecil Skotnes

A Still Life with Peaches in a Bowl and Vessels...

Sale Date: May 16, 2011

Auction Closed

The Representatives

Cecil Skotnes

The Representatives

Sale Date: May 16, 2011

Auction Closed

Four Figures (On four panels)

Cecil Skotnes

Four Figures (On four panels)

Sale Date: May 16, 2011

Auction Closed

Reclining figure, 1975

Cecil Skotnes

Reclining figure, 1975

Sale Date: May 12, 2012

Auction Closed

Abstract African figure

Cecil Skotnes

Abstract African figure

Sale Date: April 24, 2012

Auction Closed

Shaka (+ another; 2 works)

Cecil Skotnes

Shaka (+ another; 2 works)

Sale Date: April 24, 2012

Auction Closed

The white Monday disaster (set of 13)

Cecil Skotnes

The white Monday disaster (set of 13)

Sale Date: March 31, 2012

Auction Closed

Untitled (set of 26), 1979

Cecil Skotnes

Untitled (set of 26), 1979

Sale Date: March 31, 2012

Auction Closed

Shaka and his wives

Cecil Skotnes

Shaka and his wives

Sale Date: March 31, 2012

Auction Closed

Ancestor VII (+ Ancestor VIII; pair)

Cecil Skotnes

Ancestor VII (+ Ancestor VIII; pair)

Sale Date: March 21, 2012

Auction Closed

Head (double-sided)

Cecil Skotnes

Head (double-sided)

Sale Date: March 21, 2012

Auction Closed

The family totem, 1982

Cecil Skotnes

The family totem, 1982

Sale Date: March 21, 2012

Auction Closed

Figure on black background

Cecil Skotnes

Figure on black background

Sale Date: March 21, 2012

Auction Closed

Two figures, 1976

Cecil Skotnes

Two figures, 1976

Sale Date: March 21, 2012

Auction Closed

Dingane and Mhlangana

Cecil Skotnes

Dingane and Mhlangana

Sale Date: March 21, 2012

Auction Closed

Shaka the warrior

Cecil Skotnes

Shaka the warrior

Sale Date: March 21, 2012

Auction Closed

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