Erich Mayer (1876 – 1960)
(1876) Erich Mayer was born in Karlsruhe, Germany. Erich Mayer was educated in Berlin, could not afford to study art, but won a bursary for architectural training.
(1896) His studies were discontinued when ill-health confined him to bed for two years.
(1898) Seeking a more healthy climate, Erich Mayer came to South Africa; appointed Assistant Land-Surveyor at Vrede, Freestate.
(1899) Erich Mayer joined a Boer commando fighting in the Anglo-Boer War; sketched farmers at whose farms he stopped-over with his battalion.
(1900) Erich Mayer was captured by the British at Mafeking and sent to St Helena. There he devoted his leisure-time to art.
(1902) Erich Mayer was repatriated to Germany as an alien; spent winter 1902-03 in Tunisia
(1904) Poor health brought him back to South West Africa, where he devoted himself to painting. He returned twice to Germany for art studies, in 1907 and 1909.
(1911) Following Union, Erich Mayer was able to re-enter South Africa; moved successively from Port Elizabeth to Potchefstroom to Pretoria; worked as a newspaper artist; became acquainted with Wenning and Pierneef, to whom he taught the art of woodcut.
(1914) Once again interned during WW1; 21 months in camp in Pietermaritzburg.
(1916) After his release on parole, Erich Mayer travelled and exhibited in the Transvaal and Stellenbosch.
(192I - 1925) Based in Johannesburg.
(1928) Erich Mayer married Margaretha Gutter and the two travelled South Africa by caravan; Mayer's paintings became very popular among the rural community; commission for a mural for Johannesburg College of Education.
(1931) Erich Mayer settled in Pretoria.
(1933) He and his wife started a spinning and weaving school in Pretoria.
(1935 - 1936) Erich Mayer studied in Florence.
(1939) Following separation from his wife, Erich Mayer travelled and exhibited all over the Transvaal.
(1943) Erich Mayer awarded Medal of Honour for Painting by South African Akademie.
(1953) `Erich Mayer Album' published by HAUM - De Bussy. Illustrated a number of Afrikaans books, including `Nuwejaarfees Op Palmietfontein' by Leon Mare. Several of his paintings have bee reproduced by E Schweikerdt (Pty) Ltd. Member of NSA, Eastern Province Society of Arts and Crafts, East London Society of Arts, Transvaal Society of Arts
