Get Notified
Be the first to know about new works by Gerard Sekoto.
Gerard Sekoto (1913-1993) Portrait of a Man in Blue
Details
Signed lower right “G SEKOTO” in blue pigment.
Sizes:
Artwork: 38.5 × 28 cm | 15.2 × 11 in
This intense and soulful portrait is a significant example of Gerard Sekoto’s work during his long exile in Paris. The subject is rendered with a haunting, statuesque quality, emerging from a deep indigo and obsidian background. Sekoto utilizes a sculptural application of paint, using thick, rhythmic brushstrokes to build the features of the face, which are highlighted with flashes of ochre and white.
The use of a predominantly blue palette imbues the work with a sense of “Blue Note” melancholy, reflecting Sekoto’s dual life as a painter and a jazz musician in the clubs of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. The closed eyes and serene expression suggest a moment of deep introspection or spiritual resilience, a recurring theme in Sekoto’s depictions of the human condition. This work captures the transition of his style from the social realism of his South African years (District Six and Sophiatown) to the more atmospheric, psychological abstraction of his European period.
Provenance
Private collection, Paris, France.
Acquired from the above.
Condition Report
Good vintage condition; the work features a heavy, expressive impasto; stable paint layers with minor age-appropriate surface wear; original wooden stretcher.
Authenticity & Buyer Information
Aurora & Athena provides a Five-Year Authenticity Guarantee for qualifying catalogue attributions, in accordance with our Conditions of Sale.
Buyers should review the catalogue carefully and raise any questions before bidding; additional information is not ordinarily provided after the auction.
5-Year Authenticity Guarantee
Every piece is backed by a written guarantee and a Certificate of Authenticity.
Full Shipping Support
We coordinate professional, insured shipping worldwide, for auction and gallery purchases alike.
Expert-Curated Selection
Every lot is reviewed and vetted by our specialists before it reaches a sale.
Secure Payment
Pay by card for purchases up to €5,000, or by secure bank transfer for larger amounts.
This lot has been sold
Looking for something similar? Here is where to go next.
Gerard Sekoto
Gerard Sekoto is widely considered the father of modern Black art in South Africa. In 1947, shortly before the formal onset of Apartheid, he left for Paris to seek artistic freedom. There, he became a part of the vibrant Ecole de Paris, living a Bohemian life as both an artist and a pianist.
His work is celebrated for its dignity and profound empathy. Today, Sekoto is a national hero in South Africa, with his works held in the Johannesburg Art Gallery, the South African National Gallery, and the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art.
Related Lots
What collectors say about us
“The description and photos of the artwork were accurate, and I felt confident in my purchase from the beginning. The team was quick to answer my questions and kept me well informed throughout the process.”
“I had a really good experience after the sale — it was smooth, asked a question and got an answer right away. Their customer service is excellent and very fast. Definitely recommend them.”