The Sasol Art Museum

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If you’re looking for something a little different to do during your next stay in South Africa, why not try the Sasol Art Museum? Situated n Stellenbosch near the striking city of Cape Town, this great art museum has a lot to offer the average visitor. You could easily while away a few hours enjoying the artistic treasures housed by this museum.

The Sasol Art Museum is housed in a Dutch Neo-classical building that dates back to 1907. After being used as the Bloemhof School for a period, the building was restored and restructured and re-opened as an art museum in 1991. Most of the restoration work was funded by a substantial grant from Sasol and so the museum was named the ‘Sasol Art Museum’. Once you get past the intricate beauty of this wonderful historical building, you’ll find yourself immersed in a world of art and culture. The museum houses a lovely collection of sculptures, paintings, ceramics and graphics done by both South African and foreign artists from the 19th and 20th century. It also casts a spotlight on some more traditional items, such as domestic and ritual objects, weaponry and clothing from various parts of the African continent. The museum is closely associated with the University of Stellenbosh’s art department and the items on display are selected from the University’s permanent art, cultural history and anthropology departments. The University’s collection dates back to 1919, which was when the University Council acquired its first two oil paintings, and now consists of more than 3,000 pieces!

Much of the collection has been chosen because of the impact or relation it has had to the country’s past. Artists such as Moses Kottler, Anton van Wouw, Edward Roworth, Florence Zerffi, W H Coetzer, J EA Volschenk, Hugo Naudé, Erich Mayer, Adolph Jentsch, Frederick Timpson I’Ons, Thomas Baines, Thomas Bowler, Solomon Casear Malan, Strat Caldecott, JH Pierneef, Maggie Laubser, Irma Stern, Walter Battiss, Alexi Preller, Edoardo Villa, Cecil Skotnes, Larry Scully, Nel Erasmus, Christo Coetzee, Judith Mason, Leonard Matsoso, Hardy Botha and Louis van Heerden all have artworks on display in the museum. J Du P Scholtz, S C Malan and Maggie Laubser currently have large collections on display. Quite a significant portion of the artwork has been bequeathed to the University over the years.

The Sasol Art Museum is located in 52 Ryneveld Street, Stellenbosch. It is closed on Mondays, but open from 9:00 – 16:30 on Tues, Thursday and Friday, from 9:00 – 20:00 on Wednesdays, from 9:00 – 17:00 on Saturdays and from 14:00 – 17:00 on Sundays. Don’t miss this great attraction!