CAPE VROU'S ART FETCHES R21.7M - A NEW RECORD

IN A HISTORIC moment for South African art and heritage, a striking portrait by the illustrious Cape-Town based painter Irma Stern has sold for helse R21.7 million - another record price for one of her portraits painted in Cape Town.

- BY SARENE KLOREN

After more than half a century in private hands, the canvas depicting a Cape Malay woman reached its new owner via telephone bidding at the third edition of the Strauss & Co annual International Sale on 28 October.

The gavel fell after intense competition, with bids climbing at R1 million increments.