Irma Stern’s painting sets a new record of a whopping R22.3 million

Irma Stern’s artwork breaks a record with one of her paintings selling at R22.3 million making it the most expensive artwork sold in Africa.

Stern was one of the most important artists that South Africa has ever had, examples of her work may be found in significant South African embassies around Europe, and in a museum that has been established in her name in Cape Town.

The artwork ‘Children Reading the Koran’ dates back to 1939 when she visited Zanzibar.

Irma Stern & Strauss & Co. | A new #auction record set on the #African continent
—> https://t.co/4tki4P1EAh pic.twitter.com/wtdtCUllxw

— H A P P E N I N G (@Happeningarts) March 30, 2023

ALSO REA: Senegalese portrait by Irma Stern invigorates Strauss & Co’s April sale

Strauss & Co. released a statement confirming the sale of the celebrated modern painter’s artwork ‘Children Reading the Koran’ for R22.3 million.

Irma Stern’s legacy truly lives upon her work

“It is an outstanding price for an African modernist at auction and underscores Strauss & Co’s place as a custodian of value for important modernists like Irma Stern,” says Frank Kilbourn, Chairperson, Strauss & Co.

He added that this was one of the strongest sales they have experienced in a while which was made possible by the high quality of their offering. “Reputable South African painters were in high demand during the wholesale, with fierce bidding taking place for significant pieces by Freida Lock, Hugo Naudé, J. H. Pierneef, Alexis Preller, Vladimir Tretchikoff, and Pieter Wenning. Without a question, South Africa continues to be the best market for trading works by the nation’s top modernists,” he said.

“I was very encouraged by the consistently animated bidding in our new salesroom,” says Bina Genovese, Managing Executive, Strauss & Co, who knocked down the winning bid for Stern’s Children Reading the Koran.

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