Adriaan Boshoff Museum opens in Pretoria

The recently opened Adriaan Boshoff Museum is dedicated to the South African impressionist's life and paintings. Situated in the grounds of the Francolin Conservancy in Pretoria, APBCO CEO Cobus du Plessis along with Mari Dartnall, the custodian of the museum, and special guest Professor Alexander Duffey, who heads up the Department of the University of Pretoria Arts, officially unveiled the museum over the weekend.

Although there are a number of large collections globally, it is estimated that the Adriaan Boshoff Museum with its 140 paintings grouped according to themes has the largest collection of his works in the world.

Adriaan Boshoff Jr, Cobus du Plessis, Chantel Dartnall

When complete, the museum complex will house more than 500 works of art that will be on permanent display, including pieces from Alexander Rose-Innes, Gregoire Boonzaier, Robert Gwelo Goodman, Terence McCaw, Hugo Naudé and Frans Oerder amongst other. Various sculptures and ceramics will also be exhibited at the museum, alongside more contemporary artists such as Hennie Niemann Snr, Conrad Theys and Lynn-Marie Eatwell.

The architectural style of the museum is enhanced by cooling fountains, geometric designs and floral motifs with a Moorish influence. The classical Persian architecture of the building incorporates the distinctive use of repeating patterns, keyhole-shaped arches, weighty wooden doors adorned with delicate metalwork and courtyards with lush gardens and fountains.

Members of the public may only visit the gallery by prior arrangement, but guests staying overnight at The Orient or dining at award-winning Chef Chantel Dartnall's acclaimed Restaurant Mosaic, will have the exclusive opportunity to stroll through.