Irma Stern's first exhibition in Pretoria, 1933

Abstract

This article focuses on the reception of Irma Stern's first art exhibition in Pretoria in 1933. Although Stern had by that time gained a considerable reputation as an artist in informed circles, her Modernist work was still regarded with some incomprehension by spectators in general. This exhibition in Pretoria attempted to redress this by trying to make Stern's work more accessible. Although favourable critical response was elicited from many formerly sceptical critics, the complexities of modernism as manifested in Stern's oeuvre still made her work problematic concerning both style and subject-matter. The decision by the Town Council of Pretoria to buy two paintings by Stern was significant for its endorsement of Stern, and the author concludes with a short discussion of these two works.

In hierdie artikel word na die ontvangs van Irma Stern se eerste kunsuitstalling in Pretoria in 1933 gekyk. Alhoewel Stern reeds aansien binne kunskringe as 'n kunstenaar geniet het was haar Modernistiese werk vir die algemene toeskouer nog steeds onverstaanbaar. Hierdie uitstalling in Pretoria wou heersende negatiewe menings verander deur Stern se werke meer toeganklik te maak. Positiewe kritiek is wel ontvang, maar die komplekse aard van Modernisme soos weerspieel in Stern se oeuvre, het steeds haar werke problematies in terme van styl en onderwerp gemaak. Die besluit deur die Stadsraad van Pretoria om twee van Stern se skilderye aan te koop was belangrik in terme van die goedkeuring wat daardeur aan Stern verleen is. Die outeur sluit af met 'n kort bespreking van die twee werke.