Irma Stern

Bonhams, London, 10 September 2008, lot 396

Acquired from the above by the present owner

Portrait of a Woman with Closed Eyes is a striking example of the artist’s mature style, showcasing her remarkable ability to capture both the physical presence and the inner life of her subjects. Executed in gouache and crayon, the work is distinguished by its luminous colours and expressive, fluid brushwork - hallmarks of Stern’s artistry at its height. Created during her third and final journey to the Congo, this portrait reflects Stern’s profound engagement with the people and cultures she encountered there. The sitter’s serene pose, her eyes gently closed, invites viewers into a moment of quiet introspection, powerfully conveying psychological depth and emotional resonance. The vibrant palette and spontaneous strokes evoke the intensity and vitality of the Congo, while also revealing Stern’s deep emotional connection to her subject. It forms part of a celebrated series of works from that trip, several of which are in the collection of the Irma Stern Trust. These gouaches are marked by an immediacy and intensity that set them apart from more conventional portraiture.

Stern’s reputation as a leading modernist was further cemented that same year when she exhibited in Munich at the Gurlitt Gallery, a venue with which she had a long and fruitful association. The gallery’s roster included such luminaries as Henri Matisse and Oskar Kokoschka, situating Stern firmly within the context of European avant-garde art. Her connection to the gallery, fostered by her mentor Max Pechstein, provided her with an international platform and enduring recognition. After a prolonged absence from the German art scene (Stern had not shown in Germany since 1932), this event signalled her re-emergence in Europe, reconnecting her with audiences who had first encountered her work decades earlier. The Munich exhibition was part of a broader series of shows in 1955, which also included venues in Linz and Berlin, reaffirming Stern’s international stature.

Portrait of a Woman with Closed Eyes thus stands as a testament to Stern’s unique vision—her ability to fuse vivid colour, expressive form, and psychological insight—producing works that continue to resonate within both South African art history and the broader modernist movement.