Rare African Gauguin Masterpiece Goes to Auction after Nearly Four Decades

The current exhibition at Sotheby’s auction house in London showcases almost 100 artworks from modern and contemporary African artists, with a focus on the wide variety and diversity of art across the continent. Featuring 66 artists from 23 countries, this collection includes paintings and sculptures that are being displayed publicly for the first time. The Head of Modern and Contemporary African Art at Sotheby’s, Hannah O’Leary, emphasizes the importance of providing a platform for artists who have historically been overlooked in the global art history narrative.

Highlights of the upcoming sale include works such as Moroccan artist Mohamed Meleh’s Mirage, Nigerian artist Ben Enwonwu’s ‘Africa Dances’, and Irma Stern’s ‘Still Life with Watermelon and Dahlias’. However, the star of the auction is Alexis Preller’s ‘Portrait of the Artist as a Visionary’, which is expected to fetch up to £300,000. Preller, often referred to as the ‘African Gauguin’, painted this self-portrait in 1972 for an exhibition at the University of Art in Pretoria. The painting has been in a private collection since the 1980s and is now re-emerging for the world to see.

Sotheby’s has been holding special auctions of modern and contemporary African art since 2017, with increasing demand for the genre among global buyers. The auction house has seen bidders from 60 different countries across six continents, with a focus on African buyers who recognize the importance and value of these artists. O’Leary notes that African buyers are the most powerful and influential in this category, and they are the primary audience that Sotheby’s aims to attract. The sale will take place on 21 March, offering collectors and art enthusiasts the opportunity to own unique pieces from a diverse range of African artists.

The exhibition aims to showcase the wealth of talent and creativity present in African art, challenging stereotypes and misconceptions about the continent’s artistic output. By highlighting the work of artists from a variety of countries and backgrounds, the exhibition provides a platform for these creators to share their stories and perspectives with a global audience. The diverse range of styles and themes represented in the artworks demonstrates the rich cultural heritage and artistic innovation coming out of Africa.

The works on display at Sotheby’s offer a glimpse into the evolving landscape of modern and contemporary African art, revealing the ongoing dialogue between tradition and innovation in the region. The auction house’s commitment to promoting African artists and their contributions to the global art scene reflects a growing appreciation for the unique voices and perspectives emerging from the continent. By bringing attention to these artists and their work, Sotheby’s is helping to pave the way for a more inclusive and diverse art world that values and celebrates artists from all backgrounds.