Portrait of Freda Feldman in Basotho Hat by Irma Stern.

STRAUSS & Co’s next auction, which takes place on Monday, May 23, in Johannesburg, will include the sale of a museum piece by South Africa’s most celebrated female artist, Irma Stern.

This painting has come all the way from Australia and is titled, Portrait of Freda Feldman in Basotho Hat.

The sitter, Freda Feldman, was a very close friend of the artist and there are many interesting stories to disclose about their close friendship, their fettish for hats and more.

Strauss & Co have estimated that the painting – which is signed and dated 1943 and is accompanied by the Basuto hat (mokorotlo) worn by the sitter – should sell between R5 and 7 million. Continue reading →