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R2.5m Pierneef now 'worthless'
17/05/2005 22:46 - (SA)
Philip de Bruin , Beeld
Johannesburg - "What was worth at least R2.5m, probably more, has become absolutely worthless" - that's the verdict on the Pierneef painting vandalised at the SABC buildings.
Stephan Welz, an expert on art and Africana as well as a renowned auctioneer countrywide, shook his head in disbelief at the "explicit vandalism" of the person who cut the rare Pierneef to shreds at the Auckland Park buildings on Monday.
Although the lower half of the artwork - a scene from Golden Gate in the Free State - is missing, Welz feels it was never the person's intention to steal the painting.
"The motive was vandalism without a doubt. If a painting is cut to shreds, no one gains anything.
"If it is recovered and restored professionally, it would again be worth something."
He said the painting was of particular value to collectors because of its size.
SABC painting was 'a masterpiece'
"To give you an idea as to value: as recently as last week, a Cape-based art dealer sold two Pierneefs for a total of R3.2m.
"Everyone in the art world knows Pierneefs have become highly sought-after in the past couple of months. I also see this at auctions where Pierneefs fetch very high prices.
"I, too, went to look at the SABC Pierneef when it was still hanging behind glass in the building's foyer. It is, or should I say 'was', a masterpiece."
On Tuesday, the SABC's spokesperson Paul Setsetse maintained that the broadcaster believed the motive to be theft, not vandalism.
"The culprit knew full well what that Pierneef was worth."
He said the incident is being investigated by police and the SABC.
According to police spokesperson Sanku Tsunke, investigators already had found fingerprints and were investigating a charge of theft.
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