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)

Two figures

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: September 14, 2022

Auction Closed

Figure Composition, 1974

Cecil Skotnes

Figure Composition, 1974

Sale Date: September 14, 2022

Auction Closed

Figural composition

Cecil Skotnes

Figural composition

Sale Date: September 13, 2022

Auction Closed

Eight woodcuts from the series Baudelaire's..., 1975

Cecil Skotnes

Eight woodcuts from the series Baudelaire's..., 1975

Sale Date: August 17, 2022

Auction Closed

Nine woodcuts from the series White Monday..., 1975

Cecil Skotnes

Nine woodcuts from the series White Monday..., 1975

Sale Date: August 17, 2022

Auction Closed

The Assassination of Shaka, portfolio, 1973

Cecil Skotnes

The Assassination of Shaka, portfolio, 1973

Sale Date: July 25, 2022

Auction Closed

The White Monday Disaster, artist's book, 1975

Cecil Skotnes

The White Monday Disaster, artist's book, 1975

Sale Date: July 25, 2022

Auction Closed

Antonia Fernandes

Cecil Skotnes

Antonia Fernandes

Sale Date: July 25, 2022

Auction Closed

Cape Agulhas

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: July 25, 2022

Auction Closed

Baudelaire's Voyage, four prints, 1975

Cecil Skotnes

Baudelaire's Voyage, four prints, 1975

Sale Date: June 28, 2022

Auction Closed

The White Monday Disaster, 1975

Cecil Skotnes

The White Monday Disaster, 1975

Sale Date: June 28, 2022

Auction Closed

Abstract Figure, 1985

Cecil Skotnes

Abstract Figure, 1985

Sale Date: June 28, 2022

Auction Closed

THE BRIDE

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: June 21, 2022

Auction Closed

FIGURE WITH SKULLS

Cecil Skotnes

FIGURE WITH SKULLS

Sale Date: June 21, 2022

Auction Closed

MAN WITH HYHENAS, 1973

Cecil Skotnes

MAN WITH HYHENAS, 1973

Sale Date: June 21, 2022

Auction Closed

The Assassination of Shaka, portfolio, 1973

Cecil Skotnes

The Assassination of Shaka, portfolio, 1973

Sale Date: June 6, 2022

Auction Closed

Composition with Birds, 1992

Cecil Skotnes

Composition with Birds, 1992

Sale Date: June 6, 2022

Auction Closed

Abstract Forms and Figures, 1960

Cecil Skotnes

Abstract Forms and Figures, 1960

Sale Date: May 28, 2022

Auction Closed

Crowned figure, 1985

Cecil Skotnes

Crowned figure, 1985

Sale Date: April 26, 2022

Auction Closed

Man's Gold, portfolio, 1977–1978

Cecil Skotnes

Man's Gold, portfolio, 1977–1978

Sale Date: April 25, 2022

Auction Closed

Still Life with Peaches in a Bowl and Vessels on

Cecil Skotnes

Still Life with Peaches in a Bowl and Vessels on

Sale Date: April 6, 2022

Auction Closed

Still Life with Vessels and Fruit on a Table

Cecil Skotnes

Still Life with Vessels and Fruit on a Table

Sale Date: April 6, 2022

Auction Closed

Head

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: April 6, 2022

Auction Closed

Abstract, 1981

Cecil Skotnes

Abstract, 1981

Sale Date: April 5, 2022

Auction Closed

Previous 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Next

English (US)

©2024 Artnet Worldwide Corporation. All rights reserved.