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)

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: August 17, 2010

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Abstract composition (diptych)

Cecil Skotnes

Abstract composition (diptych)

Sale Date: August 17, 2010

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Two figures

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: May 24, 2010

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African head

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: May 24, 2010

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Three figures

Cecil Skotnes

Three figures

Sale Date: May 24, 2010

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African figures

Cecil Skotnes

African figures

Sale Date: May 24, 2010

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The gunner makes land

Cecil Skotnes

The gunner makes land

Sale Date: May 24, 2010

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The assassination of Shaka, 1973

Cecil Skotnes

The assassination of Shaka, 1973

Sale Date: May 24, 2010

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Abstract forms, 1981

Cecil Skotnes

Abstract forms, 1981

Sale Date: June 1, 2010

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Untitled (set of 8), 1979

Cecil Skotnes

Untitled (set of 8), 1979

Sale Date: June 1, 2010

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Extensive rural landscape with two windmills, 1962

Cecil Skotnes

Extensive rural landscape with two windmills, 1962

Sale Date: June 1, 2010

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The white Monday disaster (portfolio w/txt..., 1975

Cecil Skotnes

The white Monday disaster (portfolio w/txt..., 1975

Sale Date: April 20, 2010

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Crown of Thorns

Cecil Skotnes

Crown of Thorns

Sale Date: April 20, 2010

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The figure, 1977–1979

Cecil Skotnes

The figure, 1977–1979

Sale Date: April 20, 2010

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Figural work, the prisoner

Cecil Skotnes

Figural work, the prisoner

Sale Date: April 20, 2010

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Seated figure on a blue chair

Cecil Skotnes

Seated figure on a blue chair

Sale Date: April 20, 2010

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In Memoriam Charles Eglington (portfolio of 10...

Cecil Skotnes

In Memoriam Charles Eglington (portfolio of 10...

Sale Date: April 20, 2010

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White Monday disaster (portfolio of 13 works , 1975

Cecil Skotnes

White Monday disaster (portfolio of 13 works , 1975

Sale Date: April 20, 2010

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Head, 1969

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: April 20, 2010

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Baudelaire's voyage (portfolio of 10 works,..., 1975

Cecil Skotnes

Baudelaire's voyage (portfolio of 10 works,..., 1975

Sale Date: April 20, 2010

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

Cecil Skotnes

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

Sale Date: April 20, 2010

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Man's gold

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: March 15, 2010

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Head

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: March 15, 2010

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Composition in ochre, 1981

Cecil Skotnes

Composition in ochre, 1981

Sale Date: March 15, 2010

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