Blog Archives

The African Meerkat

23/2/2020

Standing at only 30 cm tall, meerkats, also known as suricates, have captured the attention of television and film audiences around the world because of their endearing appearance and interesting social behaviour.

They depend on group cooperation to survive. They live in groups of 20 to 50 extended family members in large underground tunnels. These family groups are led by an alpha pair, with the female being dominant.

Read more about these fascinating animals.

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Visit the gallery for more animals, birds, botanicals and images of iconic buildings in and around Cape Town.

All images are available as high quality prints on non-archival paper or on stretched canvas. Click here for prices.

Place your order
by phone on +27 79 247 7532
by email to [email protected]

Other prints and a range of lifestyle products are available from Fine Art America - worldwide shipping available.

'Meercat' by Solly Gutman - framed print available from Fine Art America

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Gympie Street, Woodstock, Cape Town

16/2/2020

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Once a small fishing hamlet, Woodstock began life as Papendorp in the mid-1800s before land reclamation in the 1950s destroyed the magnificent Woodstock Beach. With the increasing English influence after the British occupation of the Cape, the name was changed to the more Anglicised New Brighton before finally becoming Woodstock. The British influence remains strong in the road names, such as Victoria and Albert, and the rows of brick terraced and semi-detached houses that would not be out of place in an English town.

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All my works are available as high quality prints on non-archival paper or on stretched canvas.
Visit the online gallery here to view my available work.

Place your order
by phone on +27 79 247 7532
by email to [email protected]
contact me below or inbox me on facebook: Solly Gutman Scratchboard Art

Other prints and a range of lifestyle products are available from Fine Art America - worldwide shipping available.

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The Clock Tower at the V & A Waterfront, Cape Town

9/2/2020

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The Victorian Gothic-style Clock Tower is an icon of the old Cape Town harbour.

It was the original Port Captain's Office built in 1882. The pointed Gothic window surrounds the structure with a clock, imported from Edinburgh, as a main feature. The red walls are the same colour as they were in the 1800's, having been carefully matched to scrapings of the original paint.

On the ground floor is a tidal gauge mechanism which was used to check the level of the tide for ships entering or leaving the docks. On the second floor there is a decorative mirror room which allowed the captain to view of harbour activities.

The tower was a focal point in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront's urban renewal, since when it has become South Africa’s most-visited destination.
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All my works are available as high quality prints on non-archival paper or on stretched canvas.
Visit the online gallery here to view my available work.

Place your order
by phone on +27 79 247 7532
by email to [email protected]
contact me below or inbox me on facebook: Solly Gutman Scratchboard Art

Other prints and a range of lifestyle products are available from Fine Art America - worldwide shipping available.

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The Lutheran Church, Strand Street, Cape Town

2/2/2020

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The Lutheran Church in Strand Street in Cape Town is the oldest church building in South Africa, dating back to 1792. It was declared a National Monument in 1949. It is one of a unique group of eighteenth century buildings, the others being Martin Melck House and Sexton's House. These buildings are of particular historical importance as they symbolise the long drawn-out struggle of the Lutherans for the right to practice their religion.

When the Dutch first settled at the Cape in 1652, the Dutch East India Company limited the colonist's freedom of worship to the Dutch Reformed faith. However, for many years Lutheran worship was held in a hall, erected by a wealthy merchant, Martin Melck. The building was officially described as a warehouse. However, although the colonial administrators were aware of the actual use of the building, they chose to turn a blind eye.

In 1776 the hall was transferred to the congregation by Martin Melck. It already contained an organ, a communion chalice and a lectern in the form of a swan with outstretched wings: the symbol of Lutheranism. Another swan was proudly displayed above the entrance.

In 1779, following a number of petitions from German, Danish and Scandinavian officials in the Cape, the Company relented and decided to grant the Lutherans the right to form their own church. In the following year, Andreas Kolver of Rotterdam became the first Pastor. During the next four years considerable improvements were made to the hall, but it was mainly during the years 1787 to 1792 that the building was transformed and beautified. This was done by the leading Cape sculptor of the time, Anton Anreith. He designed the front elevation, but his main contribution was the decoration of the interior by his excellent wood carvings.

In 1818 the church had to be rebuilt to a considerable extent because of the poor condition of the walls and the roof. At this time a spire was built. There have been few alterations to the church since. The spire with its belfry rises almost from street level, while the original old railings offer brave resistance to the encroachment of the city. The same slate path which so many churchgoers have used over the years still leads from the gate to the paved entrance porch. Inside, the sense of devotion is enhanced by Anreith's incomparable pulpit, the historic old pews, the lovely copper basins and font. Here the Church Archives and the valuable communion plate are also preserved.

For more images of Early Cape Town, take a look in the gallery.
All works are available as high quality prints on non-archival paper or on stretched canvas.

Place your order
by phone on +27 79 247 7532
by email to [email protected]
or inbox me on facebook: Solly Gutman Scratchboard Art

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The African Meerkat

Gympie Street, Woodstock, Cape Town

The Clock Tower at the V & A Waterfront, Cape Town

The Lutheran Church, Strand Street, Cape Town

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