Landscapes sublimated by vivid, captivating colors, portraits that manage to express the deepest emotions of the characters depicted: nothing resists Irma Stern spellbinding brushstrokes. This talented South African artist captures the very essence of contemporary humanity in her strikingly beautiful paintings. Deeply influenced by German Expressionism, she dedicated her life to giving voice to her country’s marginalized populations, firmly rejecting colonial aspirations.
Born in South Africa in 1894, Irma Stern came from a German-Jewish family. Her artistic beginnings at the Weimar Art Academy led her to exhibit for the first time in Berlin in 2019, where she associated Expressionism with her art from the outset. Although she later chose to settle permanently in Cape Town, she spent most of her life traveling the world, exploring Europe, the Maghreb and Africa.
Through the materialization of her art, Irma Stern paints a multitude of landscapes and characters inspired by her diverse encounters. She draws on her travels to share her adventurous experience with the public through works of great diversity. By revealing a variety of faces, colors and origins in her canvases, Irma Stern distinguishes herself as one of the first contemporary South African artists to depict her country’s black inhabitants with respect and sensitivity.
By the 1940s, South African artist Irma Stern’s reputation was already firmly established thanks to the expressive power of her paintings, regularly exhibited in South Africa and Europe, and her active involvement in her country. Indeed, as well as being a strong symbol of the representation of black peoples through art, Irma Stern became the voice of the oppressed and discriminated against during apartheid. In 1950, she once again demonstrated her support for the black cause by taking part in a charity art auction to finance the legal fees of Nelson Mandela and 150 other ANC activists, accused of high treason by the apartheid government.
Deeply rooted in a non-conformist spirit, Irma Stern was always keen to challenge the conservatism of Cape Town and German society. As soon as the Nazi regime came to power, she broke all ties with it. In 1962, a major retrospective was organized in her honor in London, giving the London public a glimpse of this artist of diverse origins, deeply committed to the black cause. Her art, imbued with a singular and intensely expressive view of the world, bears witness to her unique and committed vision.
Until her death in 1966, Irma Stern lived in her house in Cape Town’s Rondebosch district, transforming her home into a veritable artistic sanctuary where she painted on every available surface, letting colors and shapes dance freely on walls and furniture. In 1971, the house was converted into a museum. Mrs. Feldman, a long-time friend of the South African artist, played a major role in this transformation and in preserving the legacy of her late friend.
Irma Stern’s creations stood out from the academicism then in vogue among South African collectors, initially eliciting derisive criticism. Focusing on representation with vibrant colors, Irma Stern imprinted her energetic touch, sharp contours and depth of gaze on the figures or landscapes she depicted.
It was only later that her paintings truly captured hearts and rallied the public to her cause. Many of Irma Stern’s works now feature in the collections of South African institutions such as Johannesburg’s Museum Africa, the Pretoria Art Museum and the Johannesburg Art Gallery. Some of her paintings are on display in the permanent collections of various South African museums, offering visitors a glimpse of her talent and artistic commitment.
Today, Irma Stern’s house museum is a must-see destination to immerse yourself in the artist’s creative world. Visitors can admire dozens of works, decorations and furnishings that reflect her unique aesthetic and exceptional contribution to South African art. Irma Stern has enjoyed a posthumous resurgence thanks to numerous exhibitions and auctions of her work. In 2011, her painting “Arab Priest” (1945) sold for over £3 million at Bonham’s, setting a sales record for the artist. This new recognition of her work has made her an icon among South African artists, reinforcing her status as a key activist and creator to be discovered today.