[CPProt.net] R2.5m Pierneef now 'worthless'

[Museum Security Network / Cultural Property Protection Net (Ton Cremers)]

R2.5m Pierneef now 'worthless'
17/05/2005 22:46  - (SA)   

Philip de Bruin 


Johannesburg - "What was worth at least R2.5m, probably more, has become
absolutely worthless" - that's the verdict on the Pierneef painting
vandalised at the SABC buildings. 

Stephan Welz, an expert on art and Africana as well as a renowned auctioneer
countrywide, shook his head in disbelief at the "explicit vandalism" of the
person who cut the rare Pierneef to shreds at the Auckland Park buildings on
Monday. 

Although the lower half of the artwork - a scene from Golden Gate in the
Free State - is missing, Welz feels it was never the person's intention to
steal the painting. 

"The motive was vandalism without a doubt. If a painting is cut to shreds,
no one gains anything. 

"If it is recovered and restored professionally, it would again be worth
something." 

He said the painting was of particular value to collectors because of its
size. 

SABC painting was 'a masterpiece' 

"To give you an idea as to value: as recently as last week, a Cape-based art
dealer sold two Pierneefs for a total of R3.2m. 

"Everyone in the art world knows Pierneefs have become highly sought-after
in the past couple of months. I also see this at auctions where Pierneefs
fetch very high prices. 

"I, too, went to look at the SABC Pierneef when it was still hanging behind
glass in the building's foyer. It is, or should I say 'was', a masterpiece."


On Tuesday, the SABC's spokesperson Paul Setsetse maintained that the
broadcaster believed the motive to be theft, not vandalism. 

"The culprit knew full well what that Pierneef was worth." 

He said the incident is being investigated by police and the SABC. 

According to police spokesperson Sanku Tsunke, investigators already had
found fingerprints and were investigating a charge of theft.