William Kentridge’s five lot of early drawings snatched by bidders at auction
All the works are from the Engen Collection.
By CityLife Arts Writer
Rare works by multi-disciplinary internationally renowned South African artist William Kentridge have achieved a rare feat of a 100 % sell through at the current Strauss& Co. auction sale in Johannesburg.
“Strauss & Co is proud to announce the outstanding success of a rare and historically significant body of early work by internationally acclaimed South African artist William Kentridge, presented during November Johannesburg Auction Week.
The suite of 15 wildlife drawings, commissioned in 1985 for Mobil’s (now Engen) Cape Town headquarters, represents a pivotal moment in Kentridge’s development as a draughtsman. Revered for their sensitivity, technical mastery, and insight into the artist’s early creative concerns, these works drew widespread global interest.
The auction ignited fierce competitive bidding from across the world, with telephone bidders from London, New York, and Dubai, culminating in a White Glove sale with all 15 lots sold.
The top-performing lot, Grey Crowned Crane, achieved an impressive R901 095, followed by Stretching Cheetah, which realised R750 913, both far exceeding expectations.
“This remarkable result underscores the enduring power and relevance of Kentridge’s early practice. We are honoured to have brought such an important and unique body of work to market, and delighted by the strong local and international response. The result confirms Strauss &Co’s ongoing success with single artist auctions,” commented Dr Alastair Meredith, Strauss & Co Director and Head of Art Department.
The success of this sale further cements Strauss &Co’s standing as the premier platform for South African art, and highlights the continued global appetite for the work of William Kentridge,” the auction said in a statement released after the sale
.Those interested in the ongoing sale can in person or online as the Johannesburg Auction Week continues on Tuesday, 18 November at Strauss & Co.