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Irma Stern (1894-1966)
ARNOLD, M. + A Feast for the Eye : Irma Stern. Publ. Fernwood, 1995 ***** plain, dw. DANEEL, L.S. + A Guide to Sources on Irma Stern. Publ. HSRC, 1981 **** skivertex, dw. HURWITZ, J.R. & CHOSACK, H. + Irma Stern : South African Artist : a Bibliography. Publ. Univ. Witwatersrand, 1971 *** stapled paperback. IRMA STERN MUSEUM + Catalogue of the Collections in the Irma Stern Museum. Publ. UCT, 1971 *** paperback catalogue. SCHOEMAN, K. Irma Stern : the Early Years, 1894-1933. Publ. SA Library, 1994 ***** glossy paperback.
Irma Stern (South African 1894-1966) ARAB WOMEN WITH CHILDREN signed and dated 1952 oil on canvas 59,5 by 50cm Arab Women with Children painted in 1952, is one of Sterns latter studies of Arab culture. The work was painted in a sensitive evolved manner, with soft curves closely reminiscent to her drawings and gouache works of Arabic people and communities. Stern considered people as attractive paintable objects. She was particularly attracted to diverse cultures and applied her expressionistic painterly skills to capture ethnic features as well as the soul of her subjects [1]. In addition, she was expertly equipped to express feelings through the use of colour. The three individual veiled adult figures in traditional dress project a closed composition that tends to encapsulate and protect the children who peacefully linger in the foreground. The painting is painted with less spontaneity than usual, demonstrating a well-planned arrangement where the huddling Arab subjects are keeping a protective eye over their offspring. Although painted with primary red, yellow and blue colours, Stern was able to capture continuity in the work, which could easily have become fragmented, ultimately, again signifying her ability as a colourist. No wonder that Sterns talent and genius place her as South Africas top artist. Globally her market position is ranked 355, while South Africas next rated artists in the international sphere, Kentridge and Pierneef, are respectively ranked in positions 661 and 881. The present work is a remarkable and important example, which emanated from Sterns artistic oeuvre. F.S. Edited from: Marion Arnold, Irma Stern, A Feast for the Eye, 1995, Editor: S. Kossick & T. Kennedy, Published by Fernwood Press / Rembrandt Van Rijn Art Foundation, Vlaeberg.
