Valued at R70 000 – R90 000, the photo was taken during
Mandela’s first revisit to Robben Island since his release. “I asked Mandela if
he would stand against the window and put his arm on the windowsill and look
out through the bars,” said Schadeberg*. “I took quite a few frames, and I
noticed that his expression was changing…he was first smiling and relaxed, then
started looking very serious. I said: ‘Thank you very much; I better stop.’ He
looked around and gave me a tiny little smile — not his normal big smile — and
I suddenly realised that the 17 years he had been in this prison must have gone
through his mind in these few seconds and it must have been a terrible and very
emotional experience for him. I hope [this photo] will help remind people of
Mandela and his spending so many years in prison,” said Schadeberg.
According to Schadeberg, only twenty copies of this image,
signed by both Mandela and himself, were made. German-born Schadeberg was one
of the key Drum photographers during the turbulent 1950s and early 1960s and is
widely considered a great documentarian of South Africa, over the past 60
years.
“With his recent passing, Mandela is even more on the minds of
collectors these days,” said Anton Welz of Stephan Welz & Co. On the
eve of the South African launch of his acclaimed movie Mandela: Long Walk to
Freedom (and just a week prior to Mandela’s death), film producer Anant Singh
bought what is possibly the biggest lot of signed Nelson Mandela memorabilia
ever to be auctioned. The collection was purchased for R1 121 000 at a Stephan
Welz & Co. auction in Johannesburg.
Another auction highlight is the study of Nelson Mandela created
by British Royal portrait painter Richard Stone, which served as the blueprint
for his famous portrait of Mandela, now residing in New York. The celebrated
painter of queens, princes, Pavarotti and former Bishop Desmond Tutu amongst
others, painted Mandela in 2008, and had this to say about their time together:
“The experience of painting Mr. Mandela has been unforgettable,
and a truly humbling circumstance to be in his presence. The challenge was not
only to capture a good likeness, but also to fulfil a great public expectation
and record something of his extraordinary spirit. Really, getting a sense of
the essence of the man.”
“On seeing the work for himself, Mr. Mandela smiled broadly and clutched my hand in his. His eyes twinkled and I guess for such a modest man, he felt that the portrait did him justice. He has a marvellous face, with all life’s experience etched upon it. The intelligence in his eyes, the care and compassion, the heroism and gentleness are all part of the man. I hope that this portrait has gone some way to capturing his charisma and great personal dignity.”
It is rare that artists showcase their studies, however Stone has donated his Mandela study, to be auctioned for charity by Stephan Welz & Co. at its Fine Art and Design Auction in Cape Town on 25 February. The proceeds of the sale of the study will go to CIDA.
“Stone’s famous Mandela portrait, which currently resides in New York sold for R6.8 million a few years ago, on Nelson Mandela’s birthday. Stone, one of the world’s most famous living portrait artists, who frequently paints members of the Royal Family has asked us to auction the study, upon which his famous portrait is based. We have therefore decided to start the bidding at R100 000 to encourage as much interest as possible in its auction. In many ways the Study is unique as it captures the blueprint of Mandela’s image it was painted during private sittings in 2008. Artists also rarely part with their studies or reveal them to the world,” said Alan Demby, Chairman of Stephan Welz & Co.
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