Site Loader
Rock Street, San Francisco
  • Current Language:
  • fr
  • Select Language:

Francois Krige (1907-1994)


François Krige (South African 1913-1994) PEACH BLOSSOMS IN VINEYARD signed oil on canvas 61 by 75cm LITERATURE: Justin Fox, The life and art of François Krige, Fernwood Press: Cape Town, 2001, Illustrated in colour on p 110 ILLUSTRATED Since at least the Middle Ages, the image of an enclosed garden has been a recurring motif in Western art, bringing with it the notion of refuge from the outside world and reflects the idea of tamed nature as a harmonious realm. Krige engages with this tradition which probably found its greatest exponent in Monet. Indeed the similarities between the two painters and their endeavours deserve attention. Both artists retired to quiet farming villages in the countryside, within easy striking distance of the city. Both artists threw themselves into the cultivation of gardens and took to painting these and the produce that they harvested. Both employed a number of gardeners and set up studios in their gardens where they could work undisturbed. Monet took his creation to an extreme, creating a giant controlled still-life, whereas Krige's remained a functional 'farm' garden, with fruit and vegetable harvests and a 'wild' mountainscape often discernible beyond the tamed space. Particularly in the last decade of the artist's life, the Montagu garden became one of his chief inspirations and the paintings form an important, sustained thematic legacy. From his garden studio, Krige painted in different directions: Long street, his home seen through the trees, the museum, the neighbour's orchard and his own fruit trees. In the featured painting, a rendering from the artist studio of an impressionistic Montagu landscape, a peach tree in the foreground is covered in a spray of blossoms. The direction of the brush strokes usually follows the form of the object described - the solid branches of the tree echo the twisted shapes of the vines in the background. The tree is hewn in impasto shades of brown, mauves and purples with the branches ending in shades of rose and pink. The back round is extended in short vertical strokes in shades of ochre and umber, which gives richness to the work. It leads the eye to the two small farm buildings in the background, with a backdrop of majestic Montagu mountains framing the setting. The joys of spring to come is evident in the work and masterfully creates a sense of temporal and seasonal continuity. Edited from Justin Fox, The life and art of François Krige, Fernwood Press: Cape Town, 2001, pages 92 - 98

Exclusive Report: The African Art Market in 2024

A comprehensive guide to understanding the opportunities and trends in the African art market in 2024. Access exclusive information.

We respect your privacy. No spam.