Charles Esther
Two legends of modern art, Andy Warhol and Irma Stern, are headlining the upcoming Strauss & Co’s live-virtual auction set for Tuesday, 24 June 2025 in Cape Town.
This highly anticipated auction will feature 70 remarkable lots showcasing a blend of South African and international modern and contemporary art.
The event presents a unique opportunity for collectors to bid on rare works that capture the creative spirit of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Andy Warhol’s “Vesuvius” Anchors the Auction
At the forefront of the auction is Andy Warhol’s Vesuvius, a dramatic screenprint created in 1985.
Estimated to sell for between R1.2 and R1.5 million ($67,650–$84,560), this work captures the explosive symbolism of Italy’s Mount Vesuvius.
According to Elmarie van Straaten, Head of Sale at Strauss & Co, this piece explores the themes of legacy and mortality through beauty and destruction.
Warhol’s late-period works, like Vesuvius, are rare and carry significant historical weight.
Strauss & Co previously achieved an 87% success rate selling his art, reinforcing their credibility with top-tier collectors.
Irma Stern’s Still Life Work Showcases South African Expression
Irma Stern’s Still Life with Lemons is another major highlight of the event.
Created in 1954, this painting is valued between R2 and R3 million ($112,750–$169,125).
Stern painted it during one of the most creatively productive periods of her life, a time marked by international travel and artistic exploration.
This still life portrays the delicate balance between human intervention and nature, a central theme in many of her compositions.
Stern’s continued relevance is a testament to her pioneering role in South African art.
Spotlight on South African Modernists
Collectors will find an impressive range of South African modernist works, including Alexis Preller’s Christ Head, valued between R2 and R4 million.
Preller’s fragmented religious imagery is paired with two floral still lifes by Vladimir Tretchikoff, an artist whose recent record-setting sale at Strauss & Co fetched R31 million ($1.735 million).
Additional modernist names in the sale include Maggie Laubser, Gregoire Boonzaier, Hugo Naudé, and Frans Oerder.
These works provide a comprehensive view of South Africa’s post-war art movements.
Featured Works from the Broader Catalogue
The catalog features an array of works by celebrated artists that span generations and styles.
Examples include Clement Sénèque’s Dry Dock, Durban (1927), estimated between R80,000–R120,000 ($4,509–$6,760), and Gerard Sekoto’s The Conversation in the Street, a powerful gouache expected to fetch R150,000–R200,000 ($8,450–$11,270).
Erik Laubscher’s Kouebokkeveld and Sydney Kumalo’s drawing Reclining Figure are also up for bidding, offering variety for different collector tastes.
Global Recognition for South African Artists
The international resurgence of South African art since 1994 has helped artists like William Kentridge and David Goldblatt gain global acclaim.
Goldblatt’s photography is represented in this sale by four compelling prints, including his 1985 portrait of Lawrence Matjee, estimated between R50,000–R70,000 ($2,819–$3,945).
Kentridge will feature with two major works: Art in a State of Siege (1988), valued at R300,000–R400,000 ($16,910–$22,555), and a bronze sculpture from 2010 titled Untitled (Man with Globe), with estimates reaching up to R550,000 ($31,015).
These works highlight the politically charged and emotionally resonant art that defines Kentridge’s legacy.
Vibrant Sculptures and Emerging Talent
The auction includes sculptures by top South African sculptors such as Brett Murray, Deborah Bell, Edoardo Villa, and Angus Taylor.
Each artist contributes unique forms and materials to a rich tradition of three-dimensional art.
One standout name among the rising stars is Athi-Patra Ruga.
His 2009 tapestry Konflikt Free Blk Diamond and a 2012 photographic work are expected to draw competitive bids.
Ruga’s growing international profile will be further boosted by his participation in Irma Stern’s Berlin museum show next month.
Contemporary Voices Expand the Range
Strauss & Co’s 2025 winter sale does not stop at historical figures.
It includes bold contemporary pieces from Zander Blom, Mongezi Ncaphayi, Cameron Platter, and others.
Blom’s Untitled [1.495] stands out for its scale and color dynamics, estimated at R200,000–R250,000 ($11,270–$14,095).
Newcomer Philip Barlow also debuts at this sale, marking a significant moment in his emerging career.
Exhibition and Auction Details
Collectors and art lovers can preview all 70 lots at Brickfield Canvas, 35 Brickfield Road, Woodstock, Cape Town.
The preview exhibition runs until Tuesday, 24 June 2025.
Pre-auction sundowners will take place on Thursday, 19 June from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
The live-virtual auction begins at 7:00 PM on 24 June.
To view the full catalog or register to bid, visit www.straussart.co.za.
On-Site Viewing Schedule
- Thursday, 19 June | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday, 20 June | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday, 21 June | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Sunday, 22 June | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Monday, 23 June | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday, 24 June | 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
If you had the means, would you invest in iconic art pieces like Vesuvius or Still Life with Lemons?
