The Art Collection

Artworks in The Brenthurst Library complement the collections of published works and manuscripts. The collection, which numbers thousands of works of historical importance, comprises original works in a variety of media – watercolour, pencil and oil – as well as prints, including engravings, lithographs and etchings. Most of the collection is documentary art, but botanical art is also well-represented. There are visual depictions of Southern Africa – its history, geography, people and natural splendours by both well-known and amateur artists, local residents and visitors.

The library’s collection of works by Thomas Baines, artist and explorer, is world-renowned. There is an extensive collection of pencil sketches by Melton Prior, war artist for the Illustrated London News during the South African War; botanical art by Ellaphie Ward-Hillhorst, Lady Beatrice Drewe and others; works by Frederick Timpson I’Ons; field sketches by Barbara Tyrrell and the earliest known oil painting of Table Bay, dated 1636, by Adam Willaerts.