Cecil Skotnes

Cecil Skotnes edited by Frieda Harmsen (1996) is the definitive retrospective catalogue of one of South Africa's most influential modern artists. This 240-page volume, privately published in conjunction with the 1996 retrospective exhibition at the South African National Gallery, offers a comprehensive survey of Skotnes's artistic journey from his early woodcuts and printmaking through to his later paintings and engraved works.

Within its pages, readers encounter in-depth essays and critical commentary by respected voices including art scholars and curators, covering topics such as Skotnes's role at the Polly Street Art Centre, his innovations in printmaking, and his evolution as a painter influenced by South Africa's landscapes and cultural heritage.The book illustrates major works in full colour alongside black-and-white reproductions, giving readers both visual richness and scholarly context.

As both an art reference and a collector's item, Cecil Skotnes edited by Frieda Harmsen remains essential. It captures the breadth and depth of Skotnes's oeuvre, offering insight into the social, cultural, and artistic forces that shaped much of 20th-century South African art. For anyone interested in art history, printmaking, or African cultural expression, this catalogue stands as a distinguished and valuable second-hand title.