Cecil Skotnes (1926–2009) - “Dare He Call It Love”, Artist’s Proof Woodcut Print, South Africa, 1975, Zerkall Bütten Paper

This colour woodcut print by the South African artist Cecil Skotnes (1926–2009) titled Dare He Call It Love was produced in 1975 as part of the portfolio “In Memory of Charles Eglinton.” The composition presents two highly stylised anthropomorphic figures rendered in Skotnes’ characteristic sculptural linear language, combining elements of figuration and abstraction that became central to his mature graphic work. Skotnes was a key figure in modern South African art and an influential teacher associated with the Polly Street Art Centre in Johannesburg.

The print is executed as a multi-block colour woodcut on Zerkall Bütten paper, a fine mould-made printmaking paper widely used for studio editions. This example is an Artist’s Proof (IV/XV) from the edition of 75 impressions plus 15 artist’s proofs. The work is signed and dated “C. Skotnes 75” in pencil and was printed by Egon Guenther at the Egon Guenther Gallery Studio in Johannesburg. The print displays strong colour registration and crisp carved line typical of Skotnes’ woodcut technique and remains a significant example of South African modernist printmaking of the 1970s.

Circa: 1975

PROVENANCE Printed by Egon Guenther, Egon Guenther Gallery Studio, Johannesburg; from the Egon Guenther collection.