Antiquarian Auctions

Auction #131 begins on 28 May 2026

Wenning (Harco)

MY FATHER (1976) - Inscribed and signed

The biography of South African artist Pieter Wenning, written by his son.

Published: Howard Timmins, Cape Town, 1976

Edition: First Edition

Reserve: $50

Approximately:

Estimate: $70

Bidding opens: 28 May 16:30 GMT

Bidding closes: 4 Jun 16:30 GMT

Ships from: South Africa

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Publisher's hardcover binding with illustrated dust jacket.

163pp. Illustrated.

Inscribed by the author, Pieter Wenning's son, on the title page, "Caroline Higgs. In appreciation and in remembrance of June. May 1978, Harco Wenning."

'It has been said that artists do not reach true greatness until after they are dead. Immortality often walks hand in hand with those who pour out their lives in a fleeting urge to express the beauty they see around them.

So it was with Pieter Wenning who came from Holland to the mundane occupation of bookseller's clerk in Pretoria. The urge to paint became an obsession but it was only at the age of 42 that he was able to devote all his time to art. Already in failing health, he had only six years of feverish and uninterrupted activity before dying in poverty.

His legacy of some 300 oils and 1,000 watercolours and drawings captured the respect of the nation and prices rocketed in one of the most sensational treasure hunts in the history of South Africa.'

  • Jacket Condition: Very Good
  • Binding Condition: Very Good


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