Wilhelm and Sandrie Buys have a mystery on their hands. The subject of their curiosity hangs prominently on the wall of their cottage, approximately two metres by one metre in size and bearing a distinctly antique appearance with a signature of ‘L. Bonet’.
Its shape is oval, surrounded by a decorative wooden design. Oil paint on weathered canvas depicts red poppies in a glass vase, and the rear of the painting frame bears a different, more intricate leaf-pattern design.
We don’t know the origin of this painting. Apparently it’s an original by an unknown artist,” explained Wilhelm.
The couple received the painting as a gift from a friend when she left town. She knew very little of the painting herself, having inherited it from a relative, but told Wilhelm and Sandrie that the painting had been in the Zoutendyk family for many generations.
After meeting with Wilhelm and Sandrie at their home, the Newcastle Advertiser contacted experts with historic knowledge: Louis Eksteen, the Curator of the Fort Amiel Museum, and Vincent Nixon, well versed in military history. Nixon believes the poppies may have World War One relevance.
It is very difficult to trace this type of artwork,” commented Eksteen. “Looking at the style and frame, I would guess it could date from the 1920s to even the 1950s. The frame and oval shape is in the neo-classical style from the 1770s to around 1800; the time of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. It’s realistic to impressionist in style – still lives with flowers were always in fashion. It is quite large; the painter is probably French or Flemish.”
Nixon then contacted another historian in William Goodwin, who mentioned a certain Quinn, who served in the Imperial Yeomanry during the Boer War in the Cavalry Majuba (but remained in camp). He recalled possibly seeing the painting in Quinn’s sitting room in around 1945.
‘Quinn also had a stuffed cat called Whiskers in a bell jar, and a number of ship’s bells. The Quinns were vegetarians. Old Quinn also owned a music box which he said had belonged to Princess Anastasia. He bought it in St Petersburg.’
Anyone who might know more about the painting, its origins or who L. Bonet was can contact the Newcastle Advertiser on 034 312 6021 or at nkznsub@caxton.co.za.
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