WILHELM PLONER OIL ON BOARD 75CM X 60CM (FRAMED IN DURBAN

Wilhelm Ploner's fascination with the colours of our scenery in South Africa is clearly depicted in this lovely oil on board of a farm scene. WILHELM “WILLIE” HERBERT PLONER BORN – VIENNA, AUSTRIA Though not distinguishing himself in art at school, Willie, as he's better known, confesses that he drew and painted a bit.  At age 18 he became more focused and enrolled at the Kunsthockschule in Vienna.  Having learned the basics he found that Austria was quite restrictive in spite of the sixties revolution in arts and music which transpired in Britain and the U.S.A. In he immigrated to South Africa and was immediately overwhelmed by the colours, contrasts and total abundance of wildlife and scenery – not to mention space. Willie became more confident and competent in both oils and acrylics as his landscapes, floral studies and portraiture began to show.  He learned by criticism and the way in which his commissions were received.  Galleries were soon taking up his work and the requests for portraiture increased. This suited Willie’s style of insightful realism, preferring to work from photographic references rather than from real life sittings.  “They always want to talk and fidget and then my concentration wavers”, Willie comments. Many of his portraits have been given as gifts without the knowledge of the subjects. Size: 75cmx60cm (Framed), 60cm x 44cm (Unframed) - Good condition   Some more notable names and portraits completed are of Nelson Mandela, Louis Luyt, Cyril Ramaphosa and Tokyo Sexwale.