Etching by William Kentridge 1979

Carlton Hotel 1979 - Etching - Artist's Proof - Signed and Numbered.

This is an early work by William Kentridge (1955 - ) with significant associations.
Numbered VI / VI in pencil on the bottom left corner.
Signed on the right bottom corner.

Menu for a dinner held in honour of Reinhold Cassirer (depicted on the stamp in the etching). Cassier was appointed by Sotheby's, London, to open a branch in South Africa. He was there for 10 years, from February 1969 through 1979. Reinhold Cassirer was married to Nobel prize winning author Nadine Gordimer.

The first South African Sotheby's auction took place on 24 November 1971 and the sale was held by Paul Thomson, a director of Sotheby's, London, who flew out for the occasion. Paul Thomson makes an appearance in this etching on the coin.

Stephan Welz started at Sotheby's in 1970 and in 1980, he took over the leadership from Cassirer. Welz held the reins until 2006, when he sold the company, which since 1987 has been named Stephan Welz & Co following a management buy-out from Sotheby's. Welz is depicted on the VOC medallion in the etching.

The nude reclining on the sofa in the etching is rumoured to be Penny Culverwell, who has played a role in the South African art and collectable field for a few decades. When I asked Penny if it was her, she responded that it was not!

As an Artist's Proof this is of more interest. Artist Proofs are generally valued higher than other prints in the edition, due to their rarity and the small quantities issued.
Oftentimes, the Artist Proofs are altered from the final edition, creating a uniqueness to them that is very desirable.

Sheet size: 265mm x 340mm
Etching size: 146mm x 200mm

R25,000