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)

Saul and David

Cecil Skotnes

Saul and David

Sale Date: March 21, 2012

Auction Closed

Fallen molise

Cecil Skotnes

Fallen molise

Sale Date: March 21, 2012

Auction Closed

Figural group

Cecil Skotnes

Figural group

Sale Date: March 21, 2012

Auction Closed

Images (portfolio of 9)

Cecil Skotnes

Images (portfolio of 9)

Sale Date: February 18, 2012

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Mhlangane stabs Shaka (+ Shaka sworn in head , 1973

Cecil Skotnes

Mhlangane stabs Shaka (+ Shaka sworn in head , 1973

Sale Date: February 6, 2012

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Untitled (portfolio of 12), 1969

Cecil Skotnes

Untitled (portfolio of 12), 1969

Sale Date: February 6, 2012

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A metaphysical landscape

Cecil Skotnes

A metaphysical landscape

Sale Date: February 21, 2012

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Bird in flight

Cecil Skotnes

Bird in flight

Sale Date: December 3, 2011

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Two heads

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: December 3, 2011

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Nude study, 1977

Cecil Skotnes

Nude study, 1977

Sale Date: December 3, 2011

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Reclining figure, 1975

Cecil Skotnes

Reclining figure, 1975

Sale Date: November 7, 2011

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The white Monday disaster (portfolio of 13..., 1975

Cecil Skotnes

The white Monday disaster (portfolio of 13..., 1975

Sale Date: November 7, 2011

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Night figure II, 1987

Cecil Skotnes

Night figure II, 1987

Sale Date: November 7, 2011

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Two figures

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: November 7, 2011

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Two figures

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: November 7, 2011

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An abstract landscape

Cecil Skotnes

An abstract landscape

Sale Date: November 7, 2011

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Abstract, 1959

Cecil Skotnes

Abstract, 1959

Sale Date: November 15, 2011

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Abstract forms, 1981

Cecil Skotnes

Abstract forms, 1981

Sale Date: October 18, 2011

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Cecil Skotnes

Icon for makana, 1990

Sale Date: October 18, 2011

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Reclining figure, 1969

Cecil Skotnes

Reclining figure, 1969

Sale Date: October 18, 2011

Auction Closed

Totem, 1967

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: October 18, 2011

Auction Closed

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

Cecil Skotnes

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

Sale Date: October 18, 2011

Auction Closed

Untitled

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: October 11, 2011

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The assissination of Shaka (portfolio of 43), 1973

Cecil Skotnes

The assissination of Shaka (portfolio of 43), 1973

Sale Date: September 26, 2011

Auction Closed

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