JACOB HENDRIK PIERNEEF - SAN BUSHMAN ART

San Bushman

San Rock Art

The inspiration for Jacob Hendrik Pierneef's individual style came from his studies of the primitive rock art of the San people, as well as the decorative art of the black peoples of Southern Africa. Pierneef was enthused by the clear perception and effective simplification applied by these early indigenous artists, as he considered their approach accurate and definitive of the essential characteristics of the African landscape and its beasts. As young artist he copied numerous Bushman drawings, hunting for them in the former rock shelters, and also proposed a greater affinity to this art form in public addresses as early as 1919.

His partiality for balance, simplicity of design and strong composition - which became his trademark, was therefore undoubtedly influenced by the earliest artists of the sub-continent. Pierneef's admiration for the rock artists was epitomised by the copy of a drawing of a resting eland he had his friend, the sculptor Coert Steynberg, carve in relief into the door of the gateway leading to the "kraal" of his home "Elangeni" a Zulu word meaning "in the sun". Alexander Duffey's Research (PDF format) includes more pictures of the Ficksburg High School panels.