With much excitement, Aspire Art announces its presence and the first-ever landmark art auction in the Cape Winelands at Boschendal Estate.
For this momentous occasion, Aspire is honoured to present TAKING FLIGHT: Selected Works from the Phoenix Collection. This single-owner live auction marks the culmination of nearly 15 years of passionate curation and collecting, where each artwork has been meticulously selected and acquired with love and care. Sourced from leading galleries and dealers internationally and locally, as well as prominent auctions, this private collection stands as a testament to a thoughtful collector’s dedication and discerning eye.
At the heart of the Phoenix Collection lies a treasure trove of important 20th-Century and Contemporary South African art. This legacy sale offers discerning collectors the exclusive opportunity to acquire rare and significant works from a special selection of 30 premier artworks from the collection. Spanning more than 70 illustrious years of art history within the country, with a particular emphasis on artists working in the Cape region, these exquisite pieces offer a rare glimpse into the rich tapestry of artistic innovation and cultural heritage.
Each artwork showcased in this auction represents the epitome of excellence, allowing serious collectors to invest in premium masterpieces. Key works include an exquisite still life painting titled Black Lilies painted in 1942 by Irma Stern, one of the most important and collectable artists in South Africa, Alexis Preller’s magnificent Adam, which was exhibited at his 1972 retrospective exhibition at the Pretoria Art Museum and the São Paulo Biennial in 1974, and a fascinating portrait of a Hindu Dancer by the very popular Tretchikoff, showcasing the delicate movement of classical Indian dance. This seminal painting was exhibited at his 2011 retrospective at the Iziko South African National Gallery in Cape Town.
Irma Stern, Black Lilies, 1941 | Auction Estimate: ZAR 3 500 000 – 5 000 000
Alexis Preller, Adam, 1972 | Auction Estimate: ZAR 8 000 000 – 10 000 000
Vladimir Tretchikoff, The Hindu Dancer | Auction Estimate: ZAR 1 500 000 – 2 000 000
Also included is a wonderful stylised still life by the renowned Erik Laubscher from 1952, which stands as a hallmark of his post-Paris period works. Not to be missed is Iris in Clamp (Iris II), a large-scale and well-loved archival print by internationally regarded William Kentridge.
Erik Laubser, Still life, 1952 | Auction Estimate: ZAR 700 000 – 900 000
William Kentridge, Iris in Clamp (Iris II), 2005 | Auction Estimate: ZAR 700 000 – 1 000 000
TAKING FLIGHT: Selected Works from the Phoenix Collection will be on view in the majestic Manor House at the beautiful Boschendal Estate in the Franschhoek Winelands from 29 March with the live auction taking place on Saturday, 20 April at 6 pm.
AUCTION PREVIEW
29 March – 6 April
Monday – Sunday: 9am – 5pm
Fridays: 9am – 7pm
Open for viewing on the Easter Weekend and Public Holidays.