On November 9 last year, our local newspaper, the Sunday Argus, published an article on "Forgotten Portraits of a People".
The article was about a German photographer, Gustav Fritsch, who came to southern Africa in 1863 and stayed until 1865, and in that time took photographs with the newly discovered technology of photography.
After lying forgotten for all those years, the images were sourced in Germany, scanned by Keith Dietrich of the University of Stellenbosch, and recently put on display at the Sasol Museum in Stellenbosch.
The Sunday Argus published four portraits and a group photo, and this is my interpretation of Mickie, a Khoikhoi who lived in Harrismith in the Free State. The original photograph was taken in 1864, was obviously a sepia image, but what struck me most about the picture was the absolute sadness in her eyes. I think it reflects the history of colonisation around the world, not only in our country. I have tried to reflect not only this sadness, but also the absolute beauty of Mickie.
The article was about a German photographer, Gustav Fritsch, who came to southern Africa in 1863 and stayed until 1865, and in that time took photographs with the newly discovered technology of photography.
After lying forgotten for all those years, the images were sourced in Germany, scanned by Keith Dietrich of the University of Stellenbosch, and recently put on display at the Sasol Museum in Stellenbosch.
The Sunday Argus published four portraits and a group photo, and this is my interpretation of Mickie, a Khoikhoi who lived in Harrismith in the Free State. The original photograph was taken in 1864, was obviously a sepia image, but what struck me most about the picture was the absolute sadness in her eyes. I think it reflects the history of colonisation around the world, not only in our country. I have tried to reflect not only this sadness, but also the absolute beauty of Mickie.
28 comments:
hi liz, You are back and so am i.
i liked kallis and this one too.the eyes are done beautifully.India now ready for test matches!
How very fascinating - would love to see that exhibition, I hope it comes to Joburg. You have totally captured both her beauty and her sadness - a very poignant painting.
Hi Sanjeev, I'm glad I had time to catch up with your posts. Am off to Newlands this week and will be keeping an eye on the India games. Thank you for your kind comments.
Hello Cathy. The exhibition was in November, but google the Sasol Exhibition centre in Stellenbosch and maybe they'll have something on there. I felt rather sad when I was painting her, but she was too beautiful to resist. I so appreciate your comments. Thank you.
Hi Liz!Its a beautiful portrait.I can feel the sadness in her eyes.Lovely use of contrast colors.Thank you so much for your comment on my shepherd painting.
Liz this is a really strong portrait and painted with feeling. The colours really work well.
Wow... amazing color work Liz. Oh, and you have to know I've followed you for a long time. There were many blogs I've had to rejoin as a follower after Blogger redid their follower gizmo. HUGS!
Hi Liz, The eyes do say a lot , nice painting. I like the blue you chose for the head dress too.
very beautiful painting Liz. the colors work wonderfully and her sadness comes through in her eyes.
Liz you always have such interesting posts... I'm so glad Carol convinced you to blog and that I discovered your work!!
Hi Liz,I am Anurag from Lakecity-UDAIPUR in India,First thanx a lot for encouraging me.Liz, Your work in so beautiful especially the wild life I liked vrry much.U are living in a heven on earth i.e.CAPTOWN.Please keep encouraging me in coming days also...bye..
Hi Ramesh, thanks for the kind words. I have discovered that my two favourite topics are portraits and dogs! I battle with landscapes so for me, your shepherd was totally awesome!
Thank you Carolann, I was quite emotional when painting her.
With so many admirers Sheila, I am amazed you've kept up with everyone. Thank you for staying with me and for all your wonderful warm comments and HUGS!
Hello Barbara - thank you. The colour choice was instinctive and I also love the blue against the dark skin.
Hi OOBOS Judy! Thanks for visiting and yes, all the portraits showed such sadness in their eyes. I am doing another one and will hopefully post it soon.
I love it when you visit Marian. You always say such lovely things! I now need to convince Carol to blog more often - she paints like crazy but is neglecting her blog.
Thank you for the return visit Anurag. You are on my blog list now so I can visit regularly. Thank you for your kind words about my work.
Hi Liz, glad you are back in Cape Town, still, you must miss your family in Sweden. Do you have a new addition to the family?
This is a lovely portrait, well done!
Hi Liz - I'm back!!! Just for a short visit. Great painting and yes, there is history in those eyes. Well done!
Hello, Elizabeth Pearson, the recent conduct of my busy, not a long time to appreciate the work you've done, and I wish you a healthy and happy!
Liz, thank you for visiting my blog today and leaving that wonderful comment.
This lady's face is alive. I love it.
Keep up these portraits.
A great character portrait. Those eyes tell everything. Very expressive.
Jean
Hi, Liz..it is good to see ya back. This is a very well done, captivating piece. And thanks for stopping by.
A very beautiful and meaningful portrait, Liz. I can imagine that it was an emotional piece to paint, because her sad eyes are gazing directly at you. You conveyed both her beauty and her sadness movingly.
Great color...and I love the expressive eyes! Good painting!
Wanted to catch up with blog followers...Great portrait. Wonderful color imagined from a sepia photo...so rich
The blue of the head scarf really sings with the almost-orange of the complexion-- really draws one into the eyes.
Nice to have you back!
Hi Di, yes I have a new granddaughter but unfortunately I had to leave before she was born. They wouldn't (couldn't?) extend my visa and my time was up. I'm now waiting for photos! And yes, I miss them.
Thanks Carol and thanks for the reference.
Thank you for visiting Zhao Jinzing and taking time out from your busy schedule.
Hello Peggy, I love your work and thank you for your kind compliments.
Hi there Jean. Such sad eyes - I hope I did them justice. Thank you.
Hello James, thank you for visiting. You are such an active person, I really appreciate your comments. (Sometimes I don't understand your blog, but it makes me smile, anyway!)
Ah Mineke, I did feel quite emotional when I was painting Mickie. All those injustices that they suffered and cannot be taken back. Quite sad.
Thank you for leaving your Den to visit me Dean. I'm glad I found your blog.
Thank you Annelein. Sometimes a black and white or sepia image can give you so much freedom with colour!
Gosh R, coming from your that really is a compliment. I did use Cad orange in the hightlights!
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