Category: Exhibitions

As the early 1900’s rolled around Frans Oerder had become a well-known name on the South African landscape. Coming to South Africa as a young graduate he grabbed the first opportunity of employment by working as house painter. Some years later he took up a position as an art instructor at a local school. After eventually taking the bold step to become a full-time painter, he found some reward in his appointment as president Paul Kruger’s official war painter during the Anglo-Boer War.

After almost two decades in South Africa he started a new chapter in Holland. Upon his arrival he initially settled in a one of Holland’s southern most provinces, called Brabant. This region shares a border with its neighbour Belgium and it is widely known for its strong religious beliefs during the early half of the 20th century. Oerder did stay their very long. He eventually decided to establish himself in Amsterdam.

The move to the city proved to be a good move. In 1910 he married fellow painter, Gerda Pitlo. By this time his name spread far and wide as a still life and portrait artist. His connection with his new wife saw him make a definite move towards different flower compositions. One of these paintings, Magnolias, was sold to the New York Graphic Society. This piece of art became so popular that Oerder is forever remembered as a master of the still-life compositions and also brought in record sales for the Society.

Despite Oerder having built a new life far from South Africa he continued to design the cover of the weekly magazine, Die Brandwag.

In 1938 he set foot on South African soil for the first time in many years. His grand reputation had preceded him and the tower room of Pretoria City Hall was made available to him to use as a studio.

He eventually died in Pretoria in 1944 after he struggled to recover from a severe bout of pneumonia.

Toward the end of the 19th century Frans Oerder was recognised as one of the first artists to portray the Transvaal landscape with some degree of authenticity. Another key observation is the manner in which these processes were communicated with his protegé, J.H Pierneef.

After a painting holiday in Zululand followed by  an exhibition in Cape Town Oerder achieved a milestone position for any professional artist. President Paul Kruger appointed him as the republic’s official war artist. He subsequently joined the Boer forces in order to realistically illustrate “battle front” scenes. Many of these paintings are now being housed in the War Museum in Bloemfontein, Africana Museum in Johannesburg as well as with  University of Pretoria’s art collection. A number of observers have commented on the superiority of Oerder’s work. Notably his reflections of the Boer War carry the marks of a highly-regarded draughtsman in composition, facility and accuracy.

After the war his life returned to “normal”; at least normal for artists of that era. He undertook travels around East Africa. Oerder was unfortunate to contract malaria during his travels. During this time he continued to receive requests for some of his work. His election to the South African Society of Artists in 1905 saw the tide finally turning in his favour. During this time he continued to receive a number of commissions for paintings.

He eventually returned to Holland in 1908 for the first time in 18 years, after finding it hard to adapt to post-war South Africa.

Frans Oerder moved to South Africa in 1890; his brother moved to Pretoria two years prior and was so impressed that he convinced his brother to do the same. His first job on African soil was as a painter and decorator for De Wyn & Engelenburg firm and later he reverted to work for the  Zuid-Afrikaansche Spoorweg Maatschappij; painting poles along the Delagoa railway line.

At the time Oerder’s skill set was a rare commodity in South Africa; an artist with professional training. Frans subsequently took up a position at the Staatsmeisjesskool and the Girls High School in Pretoria. The time he spent teaching only increased his appetite for more art. In 1894, Oerder rented a studio in Church street east from where he drew newspaper cartoons and assisted Anton van Wouw with commissions. Later on he became close friends with van Wouw and also shared a studio with him. Here he received frequent visits from one of his students, Jacobus Pierneef.

1896 was an important year in the life of Frans Oerder. He finally became a South African citizen and also held his first exhibition. He was one of the first artists to portray the nature of the Transvaal landscape, he attempted to capture the colour and sense of space often only found in the Transvaal. Typical of Dutch artists, he often worked on still life and flower-pieces. Frans enjoyed working with various aspects of the visual experience – influence of light and shade, colour variations and texture.

As a young man of twenty-three Oerder had to craft a new style as there was no real need for the  traditional Dutch art that he was accustomed to. He was a naturally gifted draughtsman, finishing his six years course in a only a few years and finding a new direction seemed to be a perfect fit for Frans.

Source credit: johansborman.co.za and tandfonline.com
Image credit: dutchfootsteps.com