Description
(1921 – 1977)
Irmin Henkel was born 1921 in Renburg, near Hanover, Germany. He was a German descent, but passed away in 1977 in Pretoria.
From 1939 – 1946 he studied medicine, during and after service in the German army, practicing orthopedic surgery. He was mostly, a self-taught artist.
Irmin Henkel achieved rapid prominence as a portraitist in South Africa, and his skills made him the almost automatic choice for official government commissions.
He possessed an engaging insouciant manner and sense of
humor, which relaxed the sitter and enabled the artist to observe his characteristic disposition and expressions.
His portraits were usually effective likenesses of the subject, but they fluctuate markedly in artistic quality. Irmin
Henkel’s handling of subject matter other than portraits was relaxed and colourful; his style in all was usually
loosely naturalistic.