An art expert discovered the painting, which was once sold to help fund Nelson Mandela’s legal defence, being used as a noticeboard in a London flat, writes Maev Kennedy.
Arab in Black, a 1939 work by Irma Stern – regarded as one of South Africa’s leading artists, whose works have recently been soaring in value – was recognised by Hannah O’Leary, a specialist in South African art at Bonhams auction house, during a valuation visit to the flat.
“I spotted this masterpiece hanging in the kitchen covered in letters, postcards and bills. It was a hugely exciting find, even before I learned of its political significance,” she said.
Stern died in 1966, and her old home in Cape Town is now a museum . Prices for her work have been rising in value. Another of her paintings of subjects from Zanzibar, similarly framed in heavy, antique, carved timber, set a new world record at Bonhams in 2011 when it sold for £3.1-million.
In the late 1950s, the painting was given by the collector Betty Suzman – sister-in-law of the anti-apartheid activist and politician Helen Suzman – to a charity auction to raise funds for Nelson Mandela and other ANC activists, including Walter Sisulu and Oliver Tambo, who were on trial for high treason and faced the death penalty.
In 1961, the case was dismissed after the trial had dragged on for five years, but three years later Mandela, Sisulu and others were re-arrested and given life sentences for treason. Mandela was eventually freed in 1990 and went on to become his country’s president.
Giles Peppiatt, director of Bonhams South African art department, said: “This painting was a significant part of Mandela’s defence fund – there were other works of art given to the auction, but they were very minor. This was by far the most important piece.”
The painting will be sold at the Bonham’s auction of South African Art in London on September 9.
See full report via Mail & Guardian
