Exquisite Works at the Rembrandt Van Rijn Art Gallery
Traveling down Dorp Street in Stellenbosch, visitors will come to the gabled mansion of Libertas Pavia. This elegant building houses the Rembrandt van Rijn art gallery as well as the Stellenryk Wine Museum. The fascinating Rembrandt van Rijn Art Gallery, named for the famed artist, contains a variety of works by artists such as Irma Stern, Anton Van Wouw and Pierneef.
Libertas Pavia in itself is a fascinating structure dating back to 1784. Built in the typical H-shaped style, the restored building now keeps the art works of local art and sculptures. Also housed here is the Rembrandt Van Rijn Art Foundation. This foundation was created with the goal of creating appreciation for South African art as well as to introduce works by up-and-coming international artists. One of the most highly acclaimed pieces of art at the Rembrandt Van Rijn Art Gallery in Stellenbosch is “Panorama of Cape Town” dating back to 1808. This massive painting crosses 6 panels at a height of 3.8 meters. Other art works featured at the gallery come from the Cape Town triennial exhibitions.
Irma Stern, one of the main artists featured at the Rembrandt Van Rijn Art Gallery was born in South Africa back in 1894. In 1913 she went on to study art at Germany’s Weimar Academy, followed by the Levin-Funcke Studio in 1914 and then with Max Pechstein from 1917. Irma Stern presented her first exhibition in 1919 and was marked amongst the German Expressionist painters of the time. Stern held her first exhibition in Cape Town in the year 1922 introducing a very modern style to conservative South Africa. She came to live in South Africa in 1926. During her extensive travels of Africa, Stern documented the people and landscape in her artwork. She is known for using a variety of mediums such as oil pastel, pencil, charcoal, pen and felt pen. Her favorite was oil paint. Most remarkable about her artworks was the sensuous use of color as well as the idealization of her subjects. You are certain to be impressed when seeing her art at Stellenbosch’s Rembrandt Van Rijn Art Gallery.
The Rembrandt Van Rijn Art Gallery is open from 9:00 am to 12:45 pm, then 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Mondays to Fridays, as well as from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, then 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Saturdays. Be sure to stop by for an hour or two whilst staying in lovely Stellenbosch.
