Each
image is a delight and collectively they make a charming whole. (Review by
Caroline Smart)
The late
Ronald Cohen (1936–2007) grew up in Bloemfontein and qualified as an architect
in Johannesburg before emigrating to the UK. He pursued a successful career in
London, in both architecture and interior design, while painting at every
opportunity. He travelled widely, producing a rich body of work from
innumerable holiday destinations.
However,
Cape Town fulfilled his senses. He was inspired by “the clarity of the light,
the expansive golden beaches, the granite rocks and the sparkling sea. There is
this amazing melange of different styles of buildings reflecting different
cultures and periods, the diversity of the flora and, of course, the dramatic
backdrop of Table Mountain – a thrilling presence at any time of the day.”
It is
acknowledged that Cohen’s best work emanated from this city and Penguin Random
Struik have assembled 25
of his watercolours of Cape Town’s iconic scenes, loose leaf, on A3-sized,
high-quality thick art paper, ready to be framed or displayed.
Accompanying
the prints is an informative booklet with Cohen’s interesting descriptions of
each print. The prints themselves aren’t identified so a pencilled reference
from the booklet on the back of each print would help preserve each one’s
identity.
There is
a strong collection of Cape Town’s impressive number of different-styled mosques
– particularly the Quawatul Mosque (often called the “Indian” mosque) with its
minaret soaring against the backdrop of the mountain and the Al Azhar Mosque in
District Six.
Also featured
are the twin-towered Great Synagogue in Government Avenue Gardens which was
designed in the brand Baroque Style. Then there’s the Strand Street Lutheran
Church, a building created by a wealthy merchant as a “warehouse” where he
allowed members of his church to practise their religion in secret. Until 1780,
the Dutch Reformed Church was the only recognised church in Cape Town.
Most of
Cape Town is built on the hillside and Cohen depicts this in an image from the
point of view of the pedestrian facing a long line of steps going down to
Clifton Beach. Then there’s the Biskoptrappies – seen from the beach level zigzagging
and soaring up the hill. I’d have to hire a helicopter to get me to the top!
He has
painted the many different styles of houses – from Green Point Terrace and
Upper Buitengracht Street to tho Bo-Kaap Cottages and Chiappini Street in the
Malay Quarter.
When
describing the beautiful Hatfield Road, Cohen urges the Cape Town city fathers
to ensure that proper legislation provides protection against the forces of
re-development, warning that unless greater understanding and critical
appreciation is applied, streetscapes such as this will be lost.
Each
image is a delight and collectively they make a charming whole. Apart from a fascinating
collection in itself, it would be a wonderful reminder for visitors or overseas
tourists to the city – and is easily transportable in a suitcase on the flight back
home.
Cape Town – A Study In Watercolours is published
by Penguin Random House ISBN: 978 1 77584 293 4 | RRP:
R230. – Caroline Smart
Posts
