Art sale to fund African scholars

A painting by South African artist Irma Stern will be sold next month to fund a scholarship for African students at Oxford University.

'Portrait of a young Mpondo', formerly owned by the Oppenheimer family, will be sold at the Bonhams South African sale on 17 October and the painting is estimated at £200,000 to £300,000.

The money will go towards scholarships for the Department of International Development’s world-renowned postgraduate programmes, which are aimed at understanding change and reducing inequality in developing countries.

Professor Valpy FitzGerald, Head of the Oxford Department of International Development: 'This wonderful Stern portrait of a young African warrior has hung on our walls for many years and it will be sad to let it go, but the resources from the sale will make a significant contribution to the lives of young scholars.'

Top image: The painting; Bottom image: View over Cape Town, which houses the Irma Stern Museum (Mrtnklr)