Weekend Argus Reporter
CAPE TOWN artist Ryno Swart has died from Covid-19 at the age of 76.
Internationally-acclaimed painter Swart was one of the foremost figurative artists of the second half of the 20th century, the family said in a statement.
After studying a BA Fine Art at the University of Stellenbosch, Swart worked as an art educator, visualiser, scriptwriter and film storyboarder in the 1970s in Johannesburg before moving to Paris, where he was inspired to commit to a career as a fine artist.
Returning to South Africa, he had his first solo exhibition at the Everard Read Gallery in 1980.
By the end of the 1980s, Swart was exhibiting in France and followed an international trajectory, with exhibitions across Europe where he spent part of each year painting, often leading groups of South African artists on workshops.
Swart worked with oils, pastels and watercolour, and followed the ideals of the impressionists and old masters.
He worked from life and imagination and had a passion for beauty in all forms. He drew inspiration from the likes of Rembrandt and Turner, which is evident in the chiaroscuro (treatment of light and shade) and mysterious atmosphere of his works.
Swart lived for many years in Simon’s Town with his family and pets. He leaves his wife Anne and son Jean.
Jean's best friend Vanessa Fogel told the Weekend Argus that in his last days he still did what he loved which was painting and teaching.
“He got sick very quickly. He was at home for about three to four days and then three days in hospital. They did not have a ventilator available. Through his teachings, a lot of lives were changed. He was a man of love. He loved nature, people and humankind in general,” said Fogel.