Bestowed by ambassador Elisabeth Barbier, the Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres award recognised Kentridge’s enormous contribution to the arts locally and abroad.
Barbier also acknowledged the artist’s links to France, where he spent a year studying.
Kentridge began his acceptance speech in French and described his time in the country as “important and formative”, having been able to study theatre and explore the cosmopolitan nature of the French art scene.
Barbier said she was happy to present him with the award, given his standing in the art world and his reputation globally.
The ambassador also used the occasion at the embassy in Pretoria to reflect on the successful completion of the 2012 French Season in South Africa, and highlight the strong start to the South African Season in France.
