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)

Baudelaire's voyage

Cecil Skotnes

Baudelaire's voyage

Sale Date: September 26, 2011

Auction Closed

Abstract landscape

Cecil Skotnes

Abstract landscape

Sale Date: September 26, 2011

Auction Closed

A figural composition

Cecil Skotnes

A figural composition

Sale Date: September 26, 2011

Auction Closed

Growth of a megalith, 1981

Cecil Skotnes

Growth of a megalith, 1981

Sale Date: September 26, 2011

Auction Closed

Still life with wire sculptures, 1994

Cecil Skotnes

Still life with wire sculptures, 1994

Sale Date: September 26, 2011

Auction Closed

Loaves and fishes

Cecil Skotnes

Loaves and fishes

Sale Date: October 25, 2011

Auction Closed

3 works, 1975

Cecil Skotnes

3 works, 1975

Sale Date: September 17, 2011

Auction Closed

Still life with bowl of fruit

Cecil Skotnes

Still life with bowl of fruit

Sale Date: October 26, 2011

Auction Closed

Head (study), 1979

Cecil Skotnes

Head (study), 1979

Sale Date: October 26, 2011

Auction Closed

Head

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: October 26, 2011

Auction Closed

Untitled

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: October 26, 2011

Auction Closed

Abstract

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: October 26, 2011

Auction Closed

Figural composition

Cecil Skotnes

Figural composition

Sale Date: October 26, 2011

Auction Closed

Africa, 1969

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: October 26, 2011

Auction Closed

Two figures

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: October 26, 2011

Auction Closed

The assassination of Shaka (portfolio of 43..., 1973

Cecil Skotnes

The assassination of Shaka (portfolio of 43..., 1973

Sale Date: September 20, 2011

Auction Closed

Two heads

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: August 13, 2011

Auction Closed

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: August 16, 2011

Auction Closed

Assassination of Shaka (portfolio of 43..., 1973

Cecil Skotnes

Assassination of Shaka (portfolio of 43..., 1973

Sale Date: August 16, 2011

Auction Closed

Shaka Zulu (set of 23 in ceramic box by..., 1979

Cecil Skotnes

Shaka Zulu (set of 23 in ceramic box by..., 1979

Sale Date: August 16, 2011

Auction Closed

African motif (+ another; 2 works), 1975

Cecil Skotnes

African motif (+ another; 2 works), 1975

Sale Date: August 16, 2011

Auction Closed

Landscape, 1967

Cecil Skotnes

Landscape, 1967

Sale Date: July 2, 2011

Auction Closed

The White Monday disaster (portfolio of 13), 1975

Cecil Skotnes

The White Monday disaster (portfolio of 13), 1975

Sale Date: May 28, 2011

Auction Closed

Portrait study, 1955

Cecil Skotnes

Portrait study, 1955

Sale Date: May 28, 2011

Auction Closed

Previous 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 Next

English (US)

©2024 Artnet Worldwide Corporation. All rights reserved.