JACOBUS HENDRIK PIERNEEF - 1886-1957 

Jacobus Hedrik Pierneef was born on 13 August 1886 in Pretoria, from Dutch parents.

Pierneef started his high school career at the Staatsmodelschool in Pretoria. And it was there that he started his art classes.

With the wars of 1900 between the Boers and the English, the Pierneef family decided to move to the Nederlands in 1901, where Hendrik continued his schooling. This experience brought Pierneef into contact with the works of the old masters and it had a lasting impression on him. He studied part time at the Rotterdamse Kunsakademie. He was a changed man when he returned to South Africa at the age of 18 years old.

Back in Pretoria the young artist crossed paths with other already established artist like Anton van Wouw, Hugo Naude, Frans Oerder and the Irish artist George Smithard whom played an important role in the teaching of the graphic mediums like etching- and lino-cuts.

It was only in 1902 that Pierneef showed his works on an exhibition for the first time. It was a group exhibition with Anton van Wouw and Hugo Naude. and was visited by various well known personalities. it was of great comfort to the young aspiring artist to hear the good comments from the public.

Pierneef married Agatha Delen - a woman 12 years his senior, against all advice from both families - on 16 February 1910. Pierneef was 23 and his new bride 35 years old. He worked at the State Library at night and during the day he painted in his studio.

 Pierneef passed away on 4 October 1957