1908-1993
paintings and graphics
Nerine Desmond used to live at 7, Hamerkop Street, Stellenbosch
Selected solo-shows
1962 Retrospective Exhibition held at Gallery 101, Rand Central, Johannesburg - opened on 12th November, 1962, covering the period 1947-1962, closed 24th November, 1962
1970 SA Association of Arts Gallery, Pretoria – exhibition of Spanish and South African Paintings, opened on 26th October, 1970.
In December, 1985, Nerine Desmond was asked if she was interested in having a retrospective exhibition with Gallery 21 in Johannesburg, but nothing came of this. The letter was in connection with Lucas Sithole who through Gallery 21 thanked Nerine Desmond for having sent him a cable stating “best wishes for a very successful exhibition of your unique sculpture”, which exhibition had opened at Gallery 21, Johannesburg, on 22nd October, 1985.
Selected works on the web:
“Monsoon, Zanzibar” oil on canvas board – SANLAM Art Collection, Cape Town
Short biography from 1962
see invitation card on this link
Nerine Desmond "Flowering Quince", 1944 - oil/board - 18x22 cm
Selected references of works auctioned
Ashbey’s Cape Town:
25th February, 2010 Lot 241; 2nd December, 2009 Lot 337+375; 9th April, 2009 Lot 273; 21st February, 2008 Lot 231, 236, 274; also on 26th July, 2007
Bernardi Auctions Pretoria - 30th August, 2010 Lot 370; 8th September, 2008 Lot 350; August 2006 Lot 425; 7th February 2005 Lot 30 + 31; 10th June 2002 Lot 33, 34, 35
Bonham's Knightsbridge London - Sale 17356 - 13th October, 2009 - Lot 90
Bonham’s New Bond Street London - Sale 15681 - Lot 139
Sotheby’s/Welz Cape Town -22nd March, 2005 - Lot 281; 20th / 21st October, 2009 - Lots 382, 428; 1st / 2nd June, 2010 - Lots 337, 841
Sotheby’s Johannesburg – 8th November, 1999 – Lot 551 (previously sold by Sotheby’s Cape Town on 22nd October, 1987, Lot 351)
Strauss Fine Arts, Cape Town - 15th March, 2010 - Lot 195
Strauss Fine Arts, Johannesburg - 24th May, 2010 - Lot 259
Westgate Walding Auctioneers, Johannesburg – 3rd + 4th March, 2009 – Lot 167 + 168
5th Avenue Auctioneers, Johannesburg – October 2007 – Lot 53
Publications:
“Art in South Africa since 1900” (Alexander) (Balkema, ill. p. 75
“South African Artists 1900-1962” (Jeppe) (Afrikaanse Pers, 1963),
ARTLOOK 47, Johannesburg – October 1970, pp. 42-43, ill.
“South African Art” (James Ambrose Brown) (MacDonald Heritage), 1978
Republic Arts Festival Arts Exhibition 4.5.81-2.6.81, cat., ill.
ART & ARTISTS OF SOUTH AFRICA (Berman) (Balkema, 1983), text + ill on pp. 113/114 etc
“Nuwe Groep – New Group 1938-1954” - SA NATIONAL GALLERY cat., 1988, ill.
PRINTMAKING in a transforming South Africa (Hobbs/Rankin) (David Philip, 1997), listed
Press references:
Die Vaderland – 14th November, 1962
Die Vaderland – 20th November, 1962 – one work ill.
SA Stem – 18th November, 1962 (Kunsrubriek deur Zandberg Jansen)
The Star, Johannesburg – 9th November, 1962
The Star, Johannesburg – 17th November, 1962 (owners who acquired the work reproduced in Die Vaderland on 20th November, 1962)
The Star, Johannesburg – 21st November, 1962 – image of artist
Rand Daily Mail, Johannesburg – 6th November, 1962
Rand Daily Mail, Johannesburg – 13th November, 1962
Online references in 2009
http://www.sahistory.org.za/pages/people/bios/fial-ncd.htm
Online auctions in 2009
www.bidorbuy.co.za – search for "Nerine Desmond" or Item 9631962
Work on offer as at March, 2009:
Strydom Gallery, George - http://www.artaffair.co.za/main/special-gallery.php?insertIDnumber=14
Book illustrations include:
du Plessis, I.D. (recorded and retold by): “Tales from the Malay Quarter” (Maskew Miller, Cape Town, 1945) English version by Bernard and Elize D. Lewis, Book Design and Decoration by Nerine Desmond, 201 pp.
Downloaded from http://www.rodwellhouse.co.za/newsletter/november/index.htm
Although Nerine Constantia Desmond studied in London, she was largely self-taught, working mostly in the medium of watercolour and oil. She was also sought after as a book illustrator. Desmond was influenced by a number of artists working at the time including Gregoire Boonzaaier and Freida Lock, and became particularly well known for paintings of farm and rural subjects. Her work is held in many public collections in South Africa including that of the SA National Gallery in Cape Town.
Forthcoming Publication on Nerine Desmond
If you own any works by this artist, please send images with details and any other information you have to Amanda Jephson – “topiary (at) whalemail.co.za” with copy to "info (at) pelmama.org" - thank you in advance!
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Last updated 24th August, 2010