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Anton Van Wouw (1862-1945)
*AFTER ANTON VAN WOUW (SOUTH AFRICAN, 1862-1945) ‘The bushman hunter’ signed ‘A VAN-WOUW-’ (to base behind right foot) bronze 47.5 x 20 x 25cm (18 11/16 x 7 7/8 x 9 13/16in).
Provenance: Purchased in Johannesburg by the present owner, 1960s. Private collection, United States.
Literature: University of Pretoria, Anton van Wouw: en die van Wouwhuis, (Pretoria, 1981), another edition illustrated p. 27. A.E. Duffey, Anton van Wouw: The Smaller Works, (Pretoria, 2008), another edition illustrated pp. 36-38. The bushman hunter is an extremely fine example of van Wouw’s peerless skill in rendering the finest of details, such as the folds of skin on the hunter’s back and the curls in his hair. The figure is one of the most popular of all van Wouw’s smaller works. Duffey opines: “One already sees with these early smaller sculptures how van Wouw, with his sterling technique and acute observational abilities, portrayed his subjects in the finest detail.....without detrim t to the monumentality of the composition as a whole. The quality of the casting, which the founders G. Massa and G. Nisini of Rome did for him during this period, was never surpassed and doubtlessly contributed to the high quality of these smaller works.” The model for this small sculpture was a Bushman called Korhaan, who stayed for a year with van Wouw as a servant and model. Unused to clothing, he is said to have gone about his duties in the nude. Following his stay with van Wouw, Korhaan was taken to America by his next employer. There he was exhibited as a human rarity and eventually found his way into Barnum and Bailey’s circus, where he worked for more than thirty years.
Bibliography: A.E. Duffey, Anton van Wouw: The Smaller Works, (Pretoria, 2008).
Anton van Wouw (South African, 1862-1945): Bronze, portrait bust of an African male. Wearing a shirt, with dark patina on exposed skin. Signed on back along with triangular artist's monogram, inscribed by foundry, G. Massa, Rome. The present bronze was cast by Massa of Rome, who together with Nisini, and Marinelli of Florence, were the main foundries used by Van Wouw in his lifetime. Approx. 11-1/4T x 8-10/16W x 5-13/16D. The bust is attached to a green marble base. Warm patina overall.: In very nice condition, no issues of note.
Cast by Nelli, From a model by Felipe Moratilla, Circa 1870 Holding his catch in a net, reaching down to pick up a crab hiding below a rock, the naturalistically-cast base inscribed F e Moratilla/Roma and Fonderia Nelli Roma, on original two-sectioned portoro marble pedestal, with oval top, concave sides and stepped base The figure: 53in. (134.6cm.) high, The pedestal: 29in. (73.6cm.) high (2) NOTES The depiction of the fisherboy in nineteenth century sculpture dates back to 1831 when, in a departure from the prevailing Neoclassic mode dominant for several decades, the sculptor Fran‡ois Rude (d. 1855) exhibited his plaster version of the Neapolitan fisherboy at the Salon. Rude's sculpture represented an unheroic, sentimental subject that corresponded to those depicted in the Italian genre paintings of Leopold Robert, and prompted the critic Edmund Gosse to observe later: modern sculpture dates from 1833, when Fran‡ois Rude exhibited his young Neapolitan fisherboy at the Salon. This was the first attempt to present the human body as it exists before our eyes. The success of Rude's work inspired other sculptors to treat this same theme and variations of the fisherboy were produced by Francisque Duret (1833), Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux (1859) and Vincenzo Gemito (1876), among others. This full-length standing portrait by the little-seen Spanish sculptor, Felipe Moratilla, is an unusual and refreshing departure from the more regular seated or kneeling pose adopted by the latter artists. In the sensitive depiction of a young boy gathering shellfish and crabs, superlative in its detail, it is also a fine example of harmony between sculptor and founder, the latter in this case being the Roman firm of Nelli, who in the later decades of the nineteenth century edited works by such sculptors as Anton van Wouw and Alfred Gilbert.
A collection of Paul Kruger memorabilia, late 19th century, including some items from the Transvaal Republic, comprising: a bronze head of Paul Kruger, after Anton van Wouw, (South African 1862 1945), an Anton van Wouw (South African 1862-1945) Kruger head plaque Coert L. Steynberg (South African 1905- 1982): 2 heads, Wienecke: a Kruger head plaque, 2 Transvaal facsimile money-boxes, Rochlin: beaker with the head of Kruger and the Paardekraal monument, a pocket watch commemorating the opening of the Delagoa Bay railway, 5 lapel badges, 2 small spelter figures of Kruger, a ceramic character flask of 'Oom Paul', a ZAR crown pierced and mounted as a brooch, 16 medallions and plaques relating to Paul Kruger, and a quantity of printed ephemera (Qty)
After Anton van Wouw (South African 1862-1945) BAD NEWS signed and dated S.A. Joh-Burg and with the foundry mark Marinelli Firenze bronze, dark brown patination, mounted on a pink marble base height: 32cm LITERATURE Hans Fransen, Three Centuries of South African Art, Johannesburg, 1983, page 327 (illustration of another cast). M.L. du Toit, Suid-Afrikaanse Kunstenaars, deel 1, Anton van Wouw, Cape Town, 1939, page 37 (illustration of another cast). Our Art I, Pretoria, 1959, page 11 (illustration of another cast). [A.E. Duffey], Anton van Wouw 1862-1945 en die Van Wouwhuis, University of Pretoria, 1981, page 45 (illustration of another cast). ILLUSTRATED
ANTON VAN WOUW
(Dutch/South African, 1862-1945)
KALAHARI BUSHMAN COLLECTING WATER (or THE DAGGA SMOKER)
bronze,
signed A. VAN Wouw, S.A. - Joh.burg
length: 20 inches
Literature: Another example of this model was sold at Sotheby's, London, 11/23/2010, lot 52 ($26,000)
Other Notes: Van Wouw, who was born in Driebergen, Holland in 1862, attended the Rotterdam Academy and moved to Pretoria, South Africa at the age of 28. In Africa, he waited 10 years to receive his first commission which was to create a monumental statue of Paul Kruger, which stands on the Church Square in Pretoria. Van Wouw developed a great admiration for the Boer nation and captured the struggles and hopes of these people in his work. In his sculpture, he also portrayed with great emotional empathy and sensitivity lifelike expression, the indigenous peoples of Africa.
Although several auction houses have listed this work as The Dagga Smoker, the bronze actually depicts a Kalahari Bushman collecting water using a siphon and bowl. Water is so scarce in the Kalahari, this was one method of survival.
Various A COLLECTION OF BOOKS ON SOUTH AFRICAN SCULPTORS Including the following:
*Duffrey, A., de Kamper, G. & Mosako, D.
ANTON VAN WOUW (1862 - 1945)
Department of UP Arts, Pretoria, 2010.
Soft cover. Fine.
*Bosman, E.C.L.
COERT STEYNBERG
Van Schaik, Pretoria, 1968. Afrikaans.
Softcover. Good.
*Arnott, B.
LIPPY LIPSHITZ
Balkema, Cape Town, 1969.
Good. Some shelfwear on dust jacket.
*Gregorowski, C. & Davis-Mesman, E.
BILL DAVIS, SCULPTOR: HIS LIFE AND WORK
Privately published, 2010.
Fine.
*Wright, N.
MEETING CARL ROBERTS
Wright Publishing, 2006. Signed by author.
Fine.
*Weyers, E.
WAT DIE HART VAN VOL IS...
Hemel & See Boeke, Hermanus, 2012.
Fine.
PROVENANCE
Johans Borman Fine Art
The Station Panels
Die Rupert Museum catalogue;JH Pierneef (1886-1957) As Drukkemaker, Johannesburg Kunsmuseum, 1986, catalogue;JH Pierneef, Pretorian, Transvaler, South African, Pretoria Art Museum, August - September 1986, Memorial Exhibition catalogue;Pierneef/Van Wouw, Paintings and sculptures by two South African Masters, Rembrandt van Rijn Art Foundation 1980-1981 Exhibition catalogue;Anton van Wouw (1862-1945), Pretoria: Department of UP Arts, 2010
**** PLEASE NOTE: This is an Online-Only Auction closing on Sunday 9th April at 8pm
Anton van Wouw (1862-1945) BAD NEWS signed and inscribed S.A. Joh- burg, and with the foundry mark Fond. N.G. Nisini Roma bronze, dark brown patination height: 16cm Literature: Hans Fransen, Three Centuries of South African Art, Johannesburg, 1983, page 327 ( illustration of another cast) M.L. du Toit, Suid-Afrikaanse Kunstenaars, Deel 1, Anton van Wouw, Cape Town, 1939, page 37 ( illustration of another cast) Our Art I, Pretoria, 1959, page 11 ( illustration of another cast) [A.E. Duffey], Anton van Wouw 1862-1945 en die Van Wouwhuis, University of Pretoria, 1981, page 45 ( illustration of another cast)
Coetzer, W. H. W. H. COETZER 80 Roodepoort: Cum Boeke, 1980 first edition, No. 263 of 1000 copies b/w & col. illustrations, dustjacket 4to hardback, dustjacket and 2 others of similar South African Art interest - UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA - Anton van Wouw 1862-1945 en die Van Wouwhuis, 1981, dustjacket - HEINZE, L. - Painters of S.W.A./Namibia, 1983, dustjacket, No. 809 of 1000 (3)
Anton van Wouw (1862 - 1945), signed and with inscription, 1907, bronze, foundry mark: G. Nisini-fuse-Roma. - H. 42 cm - Literature: - M.J. Cohen, Anton van Wouw: Sculptor of South African Life, Johannesburg, 1938, page 25 (comparable casts) - A.E. Duffey, Anton van Wouw, The Smaller Works, Pretoria, 2008, page 56 (comparable casts) - Provenance: - Collection Mr. A.W. Goossens (1885 - 1969), The Hague, Goossens was the founder of Bibliofox and his mother had a connection with Paul Kruger - N.B.: - It is known that the artist himself supervised the completion of the cast.
COHEN, M.J. + Anton van Wouw : Sculptor of South African life. Publ. Radford Adlington, 1938 *** laminated cloth. (Front hinge cracked). DU TOIT, M.L. + Suid-Afrikaanse Kunstenaars : Deel I : Anton van Wouw. Publ. Nas. Pers, 1933 *** plain with cloth spine. (Spine worn, front hinge cracked, water damage). ERNST, J. + Anton van Wouw : 'n Biografie. Publ. Corals, 1990 ***** paperback. KEET, A.D. + Briewe van Anton van Wouw aan A.D. Keet. Publ. Nas. Pers, 1981 *** plain. UNIVERSITEIT VAN PRETORIA Anton van Wouw 1862-1945 en die Van Wouwhuis. Publ. Butterworth, 1981 ***** plain, dw
Anton van Wouw (1862-1945) THE DAGGA SMOKER signed and inscribed S.A Joh-burg, and with the foundry mark Fond. Nisini Roma bronze, dark brown patination height: 18cm Literature: Dr. J. Cohen, Anton van Wouw, Sculptor of South African Life, Johannesburg, 1938, page 11 ( illustration of another cast) M.L. du Toit, Suid Afrikaanse Kunstenaars, Deel I, Anton van Wouw, Cape Town, 1933, number 12, ( illustration of another cast) [A.E. Duffey], Anton van Wouw 1862-1945 en die Van Wouwhuis, University of Pretoria, 1981, page 32 ( illustration of another cast)
Anton van Wouw (1862-1945) THE DAGGA SMOKER signed and inscribed S.A. Joh-burg bronze on a marble base height: 18cm, base: 3cm Literature: Dr. J. Cohen, Anton van Wouw, Sculptor of South African Life, Johannesburg, 1938, page 11 (illustration of another cast). M.L. du Toit, Suid Afrikaanse Kunstenaars, Deel I, Anton van Wouw, Cape Town, 1933, number 12, (illustration of another cast). [A.E. Duffey], Anton van Wouw 1862-1945 en die Van Wouwhuis, University of Pretoria, 1981, page 32 (illustration of another cast).
Anton van Wouw (1900-1983) THE DAGGA SMOKER signed and inscribed S.A Joh-burg, and inscribed Fonderia. G. Nisini. Roma. bronze height: 18cm rests on a wooden base Literature: Dr. J. Cohen, Anton van Wouw,Sculptor of South African Life, Johannesburg, 1938, page 11, illustration of another cast M.L. du Toit, Suid Afrikaanse Kunstenaars, Deel I, Anton van Wouw, Cape Town, 1933, number 12, illustration of another cast [A.E.Duffey], Anton van Wouw 1862-1945 en die van Wouwhuis, University of Pretoria, 1981, page 32, illustration of another cast
Du Toit, M. L SUID-AFRIKAANSE KUNSTENAARS, ANTON VAN WOUW Cape Town: Nasionale Pers, Beperk, 1933 b/w illustrations 8vo hardcover, fair, damage to the margins, and three others - THOMPSON, JOYCE NEWTON - Gwelo Goodman, 1951, dustjacket - HARMSEN, F. - Cecil Skotnes, 1996, softcover - SCHOEMAN, K. - Irma Stern: The Early Years 1894 - 1933, 1994, softcover (4)
Various THE S. A. ART COLLECTION ? ONS KUNS 1, 2, & 3, n.d., col. & b/w illustrations, softback, Vol 3 hardback ? DU TOIT, M. L. - Suid Afrikaanse Kunstenaars Deel 1, Anton van Wouw, 1933, foxing ? JO RATCLIFFE - Selected Works 1982 - 99, 2004, softback ? KAGANI, J. H. - An Exhibition, 1989, softback. As condition varies, viewing is suggested. (6)