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JOHANNES MEINTJES Artist, Author and Historian 1923 - 1980
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'Mine is the vision of a painter sprung from the soil of Africa and I have given it in a personal statement which may find a response in the heart and imagination of another generation'.
Johannes Meintjes (1960)
JOHANNES MEINTJES ARCHIVAL WEBSITE
We are compiling a catalogue raisonné of the paintings of Johannes Meintjes and approximately 2000 images may be viewed on this archival website.
Please assist by sending any images that you may have to cmt@iafrica.com
We are compiling a catalogue raisonné of the paintings of Johannes Meintjes and approximately 2000 images may be viewed on this archival website.
Please assist by sending any images that you may have to cmt@iafrica.com
JOHANNES MEINTJES DIARIES : ENGLISH TRANSLATION
The artist Johannes Petrus Meintjes (19 May 1923 to 7 July 1980) was also a historian and author. Spanning a period of almost 40 years, his body of autobiographical work includes thirteen diaries. Considered Africana, Meintjes self-published the first four volumes (three Diaries and Jeugjare) through his Bamboesberg Publishers.
His first diary entry was on 13 February 1941, while the last entry was recorded in 5 July 1980, two days prior to his death. The various diaries, published and unpublished, represent a collected work that tells the story of Johannes Meintjes’ life as an artist and author. This includes inscriptions on people he met, comments about political events as well as matters of faith.
In this English synopsis (424 pages, illustrated with examples of his artistic output) the compilers steered clear of deeply personal, nonsensical or malicious comments, while toning down accounts of his extensive social activities. There are references to health or financial issues that affected Meintjes’ creativity and the experience of pain and sadness is also touched upon briefly where appropriate.
In the end, it was Meintjes’ entry on 30 January 1964, ‘When I started on the Diary, I never realised that it would become my monument. If it were ever to appear as a single volume, who knows, it can be cut drastically’, that served as catalyst and inspiration culminating in the Afrikaans publication of the Johannes Meintjes Dagboeke launched at the Stellenbosch University Museum in 2023, a century after his birth.
It gives us great pleasure to announce that an English version, Johannes Meintjes’ Diaries, will be launched as an eBook during the latter half of 2024.
Publishing a synopsis of all thirteen diaries into one single volume was a project that took more than ten years. It was spearheaded by Lydia de Waal (a previous Director of the Stellenbosch University Museum) and assisted by Kobus Opperman (the Johannes Meintjes Archivist).
Associate Professor Emeritus at Stellenbosch University, Dr Edwin Hees, translated the document into English. Mr Bongani Mgijia, the Director of the Stellenbosch University Museum, graciously arranged for sponsoring this translation. Amanda Botha, seasoned arts journalist, ends the book with her valued conclusion ‘The Meintjes Diaries: Mirror and Reflection’. The English translation contains additional archival material kindly made available by the Meintjes family from their personal collection.
Download JOHANNES MEINTJES - DIARIST by Edwin Hees
Download THE MEINTJES DIARIES: MIRROR AND REFLECTION by Amanda Botha
The artist Johannes Petrus Meintjes (19 May 1923 to 7 July 1980) was also a historian and author. Spanning a period of almost 40 years, his body of autobiographical work includes thirteen diaries. Considered Africana, Meintjes self-published the first four volumes (three Diaries and Jeugjare) through his Bamboesberg Publishers.
His first diary entry was on 13 February 1941, while the last entry was recorded in 5 July 1980, two days prior to his death. The various diaries, published and unpublished, represent a collected work that tells the story of Johannes Meintjes’ life as an artist and author. This includes inscriptions on people he met, comments about political events as well as matters of faith.
In this English synopsis (424 pages, illustrated with examples of his artistic output) the compilers steered clear of deeply personal, nonsensical or malicious comments, while toning down accounts of his extensive social activities. There are references to health or financial issues that affected Meintjes’ creativity and the experience of pain and sadness is also touched upon briefly where appropriate.
In the end, it was Meintjes’ entry on 30 January 1964, ‘When I started on the Diary, I never realised that it would become my monument. If it were ever to appear as a single volume, who knows, it can be cut drastically’, that served as catalyst and inspiration culminating in the Afrikaans publication of the Johannes Meintjes Dagboeke launched at the Stellenbosch University Museum in 2023, a century after his birth.
It gives us great pleasure to announce that an English version, Johannes Meintjes’ Diaries, will be launched as an eBook during the latter half of 2024.
Publishing a synopsis of all thirteen diaries into one single volume was a project that took more than ten years. It was spearheaded by Lydia de Waal (a previous Director of the Stellenbosch University Museum) and assisted by Kobus Opperman (the Johannes Meintjes Archivist).
Associate Professor Emeritus at Stellenbosch University, Dr Edwin Hees, translated the document into English. Mr Bongani Mgijia, the Director of the Stellenbosch University Museum, graciously arranged for sponsoring this translation. Amanda Botha, seasoned arts journalist, ends the book with her valued conclusion ‘The Meintjes Diaries: Mirror and Reflection’. The English translation contains additional archival material kindly made available by the Meintjes family from their personal collection.
Download JOHANNES MEINTJES - DIARIST by Edwin Hees
Download THE MEINTJES DIARIES: MIRROR AND REFLECTION by Amanda Botha
FINE ART AUCTIONS : RECORDS TO DATE
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RECORD FOR BOOKS Maggie Laubser Monography. 1944. 47 pp HAUM, Cape Town Dedicated to Gerrit Bakker Sold for USD 1,680 on 24 November 2016 by Antiquarian Auctions |
RECORD FOR GRAPHIC WORKS 1942 Self Portrait 380 x 340 Charcoal heightened with white Sold for USD 18,694 on 26 Sep 2011 by Strauss & Co |
RECORD FOR OIL PAINTINGS 1951 Swazi Landscape II 635 x 435 Oil on board Sold for USD 75,172 on 8 Oct 2012 by Strauss & Co |
THE JOHANNES MEINTJES MEMORIAL ROOM AT THE MOLTENO HIGH SCHOOL
The Molteno High School in the Eastern Cape houses an important collection of more than 70 art works representing Johannes Meintjes' creative output.
EXHIBITION AT STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY'S SASOL ART MUSEUM
14 JULY TO 28 AUGUST 2010
Regular updates take place as more images and information become available.
Last update: 16 October 2024
Last update: 16 October 2024
A South Africa artist who deserves to be regarded alongside Maggie Laubser
PUBLICATION BY THE VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA
