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)

Composition in green

Cecil Skotnes

Composition in green

Sale Date: March 15, 2010

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Abstract with head

Cecil Skotnes

Abstract with head

Sale Date: March 15, 2010

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African still life

Cecil Skotnes

African still life

Sale Date: March 15, 2010

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Hospitality

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: March 15, 2010

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The rooinek, 1981

Cecil Skotnes

The rooinek, 1981

Sale Date: March 15, 2010

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The white Monday disaster, 1975

Cecil Skotnes

The white Monday disaster, 1975

Sale Date: March 15, 2010

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African figure

Cecil Skotnes

African figure

Sale Date: March 15, 2010

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Composition I (+ Composition II; 2 works), 1972

Cecil Skotnes

Composition I (+ Composition II; 2 works), 1972

Sale Date: March 23, 2010

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Rooster

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: March 23, 2010

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Untitled (set of 23, + 2 others; 25 works), 1979

Cecil Skotnes

Untitled (set of 23, + 2 others; 25 works), 1979

Sale Date: March 23, 2010

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Untitled (set of 8), 1980

Cecil Skotnes

Untitled (set of 8), 1980

Sale Date: March 23, 2010

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Baudelaire's voyage (portfolio of 10)

Cecil Skotnes

Baudelaire's voyage (portfolio of 10)

Sale Date: March 23, 2010

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In memoriam Charles Eglington (portfolio of 10)

Cecil Skotnes

In memoriam Charles Eglington (portfolio of 10)

Sale Date: March 23, 2010

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Stations of the Cross (set of 14), 1980

Cecil Skotnes

Stations of the Cross (set of 14), 1980

Sale Date: March 23, 2010

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Visit to a battle site, 1974

Cecil Skotnes

Visit to a battle site, 1974

Sale Date: March 24, 2010

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Head

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: March 24, 2010

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The couple

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: February 23, 2010

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Abstract landscape, 1983

Cecil Skotnes

Abstract landscape, 1983

Sale Date: February 23, 2010

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A metaphysical landscape

Cecil Skotnes

A metaphysical landscape

Sale Date: February 23, 2010

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White Monday disaster (portfolio w/13 works), 1975

Cecil Skotnes

White Monday disaster (portfolio w/13 works), 1975

Sale Date: November 17, 2009

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Head

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: November 17, 2009

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Two figures

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: November 17, 2009

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Little red devil, 1967

Cecil Skotnes

Little red devil, 1967

Sale Date: November 17, 2009

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Totem

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: October 8, 2009

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