Antoinette van der Merwe - Teddy Bear Shop #3

South African 1969 - (Record auction price R6 400 in 2022)

Popular Teddy Bear Store Scene - 40x30cm, landscape, unframed

South African artist Antoinette van der Merwe is known for richly atmospheric oil paintings that combine impressionist technique with an engaging sense of nostalgia and storytelling. Her subjects range from historic street scenes and coastal settings to children, figures and intimate moments of everyday life, often capturing a distinctly South African sense of place.

Born in Rustenburg in 1969, Van der Merwe showed an early interest in art before later studying impressionism at the Pieter Millard School of Art. Millard himself was a student of celebrated South African master Adriaan Boshoff, giving Van der Merwe an interesting connection to a recognised tradition of South African impressionist painting.

Her paintings are characterised by confident handling of oils, expressive brushwork, warm colour and a sensitivity to light and atmosphere. Rather than simply documenting a scene, Van der Merwe creates a sense of memory and human connection. Works depicting District Six, Woodstock, seaside gatherings and children demonstrate her particular ability to turn familiar subjects into paintings filled with character and emotion.

Her work has been represented by South African galleries and art dealers and continues to trade on the secondary market, with numerous works appearing at auction over the years.

For collectors, Antoinette van der Merwe offers an appealing combination of technical quality, impressionist pedigree and distinctly South African subject matter.