Johannesburg – Aspire Art Auctions leads its Winter 18 auction at the Gordon Institute of Business Science in Illovo, Sandton, with a rare and exceptional still life by Irma Stern, Still life with magnolias, apples and bowl (1944/9). This work has never before been seen and is brand new to the market.
Dr Marion Arnold of Loughborough University in the UK, an authority on Stern and author of the seminal book Irma Stern: A Feast for the Eye, states: “Stern produced still life paintings throughout her career, invariably depicting natural and cultural forms. Flowering plants and fruits, often from her garden at The
Firs in Rosebank, feature prominently as do artefacts she collected, which are all very evident in this magnificent work.”
The artefacts depicted are Chinese vessels from the artist’s own collection. The martaban in which the flowers sit is offset in the foreground by a glazed celadon
Article source: https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/gauteng/aspire-leads-winter-auction-with-never-before-seen-stern-still-life-15438833