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)

Carved Figural Totem

Cecil Skotnes

Carved Figural Totem

Sale Date: April 5, 2022

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FERTILITY

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: March 23, 2022

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The Nameless One, 1973

Cecil Skotnes

The Nameless One, 1973

Sale Date: March 19, 2022

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Composition with Figures

Cecil Skotnes

Composition with Figures

Sale Date: March 14, 2022

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Two Abstract Figures

Cecil Skotnes

Two Abstract Figures

Sale Date: March 14, 2022

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Totem

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: March 14, 2022

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The Assassination of Shaka, 1973

Cecil Skotnes

The Assassination of Shaka, 1973

Sale Date: March 16, 2022

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Two reclining figures

Cecil Skotnes

Two reclining figures

Sale Date: March 16, 2022

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Untitled

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: March 8, 2022

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Figures, 1967

Cecil Skotnes

Figures, 1967

Sale Date: February 21, 2022

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Metamorphosis of a Wreck, 1994

Cecil Skotnes

Metamorphosis of a Wreck, 1994

Sale Date: February 21, 2022

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Two Figures Embracing

Cecil Skotnes

Two Figures Embracing

Sale Date: February 21, 2022

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Mappenwerk

Cecil Skotnes

Mappenwerk "Man's Gold" (portfolio of 28..., 1977

Sale Date: September 25, 2021

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Nine woodcuts (i-ix) from the series 'White..., 1975

Cecil Skotnes

Nine woodcuts (i-ix) from the series 'White..., 1975

Sale Date: December 15, 2021

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Eight woodcuts (i-viii) from the series..., 1975

Cecil Skotnes

Eight woodcuts (i-viii) from the series..., 1975

Sale Date: December 15, 2021

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Cat

Cecil Skotnes

Sale Date: December 13, 2021

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The Assassination of Shaka – portfolio and..., 1973

Cecil Skotnes

The Assassination of Shaka – portfolio and..., 1973

Sale Date: November 28, 2021

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Abstract Figure

Cecil Skotnes

Abstract Figure

Sale Date: November 28, 2021

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Abstract 2, 2003

Cecil Skotnes

Abstract 2, 2003

Sale Date: November 30, 2021

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The Assassination of Shaka, 1973

Cecil Skotnes

The Assassination of Shaka, 1973

Sale Date: November 30, 2021

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Desert Massif, 1961

Cecil Skotnes

Desert Massif, 1961

Sale Date: November 30, 2021

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Baudelaire's Voyage, 1975

Cecil Skotnes

Baudelaire's Voyage, 1975

Sale Date: November 2, 2021

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Figures in a Landscape, 1977

Cecil Skotnes

Figures in a Landscape, 1977

Sale Date: November 9, 2021

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Abstract Figure and Face

Cecil Skotnes

Abstract Figure and Face

Sale Date: November 8, 2021

Auction Closed

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