Knowing Florence: Inside & Out

Painted by Jacques Viljoen during his third year at the Florence Academy of Art.

Jacques Viljoen returned to The Florence Academy of Art last year to complete his studies, which were interrupted by the COVID pandemic. In the years between his two chapters of studying in Italy, Jacques continued to hone his skills by painting en plein air works around the Cape. His time away from Florence has clearly been good for him; last week, Jacques was awarded the prize for the ‘Best Painting for the Class of 2025/2026’ by The Academy. It is an extraordinary endorsement from a school that sees hundreds of international students passing through its halls. Congratulations, Jacques!

 

The work that won this prize is a painting of a fortune teller. Leaning over a table of scattered tarot cards, the woman giving the reading stares ahead and through the person she is consulting with. In her left hand, she holds a single card that is concealed to everyone but herself. It’s a moment of absolute tension, telling many different stories all at the same time – something that only the most accomplished artist can do with oil paint, a canvas, and his brushes. It’s a fabulous painting.

We are thrilled for Jacques on this wonderful news, and are excited to share two catalogues of his work that relate to his time spent in Florence. Knowing Florence: Inside & Out is an exhibition of both the work he made inside the dark fabric-lined studios of The Academy as well as the bright en plein air paintings outside of The Academy. While his curriculum work is technical, studied, and controlled, his outside works are light, playful, and less serious. Between these two different spaces, Viljoen shows off his remarkable talent, tenacity, and passion for oil painting. We are very excited to see where your talent takes you next.
 
To view more of Jacques’ artwork completed in Cape Town, please view the catalogue in the link below:
 

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Inside...

 
These studio works were painted in oil by Jacques Viljoen during his time studying in Florence. 

Reader, Woman at Table with Cards 

Oil on Linen

90 x 110 (unframed)

R64 000, sold

Seated Nude Figure 

Oil on Linen

80 x 50cm, (unframed)

R32 400, sold

Woman in Profile  

Oil on Linen

60 x 50cm, (unframed)

R34 000

Self-portrait with Rain Poncho

Oil on Linen

60 x 50cm, (unframed)

R34 000

Giovanni, Nude

Oil on Linen

100 x 50cm, (unframed)

R22 000

Portrait of Giorgi

Oil on Linen

65 x 50cm, (unframed)

R24 000

 After Rehearsal, Ballet Slippers

Oil on Linen

50 x 30cm

R9800

 Man in Profile

Oil on Linen

50 x 40cm, (unframed)

R22 000

Female Study

Oil on Linen (unstretched) 

55 x 40cm, (unframed)

R18 000

Oil Sketches

Study for Standing Nude, Turning

Oil on Raw-edge Artist Canvas

40 x 28cm, (unframed)

R2 200

Study for Standing Nude, Facing

Oil on Raw-edge Artist Canvas

40 x 24cm, (unframed)

R2 200

Study for Seated Figure in Profile

Oil on Raw-edge Artist Canvas

41 x 25cm, (unframed)

R2 200

Study for Seated Nude on Blue Drapery

Oil on Raw-edge Artist Canvas

38 x 22cm, (unframed)

R1 800, sold

Study for Artist Self-portrait

Oil on Raw-edge Artist Canvas

25 x 19cm, (unframed)

R3 200, sold

Study for After Rehearsal, Ballet Slippers 

Oil on Raw-edge Artist Canvas

36 x 30cm, (unframed)

R1 200

Study for Seated Nude, Composed

Oil on Raw-edge Artist Canvas

32 x 22cm, (unframed)

R1 800

Study for Standing Nude Figure, Hands Behind Back

Oil on Raw-edge Artist Canvas

34 x 23cm, (unframed)

R1 800

Study for Reader, Woman at Table with Cards

Oil on Raw-edge Artist Canvas

30 x 38cm, (unframed)

R3 200, sold

Study for Seated Nude with Dark Drape

Oil on Raw-edge Artist Canvas

49 x 25cm, (unframed)

R2 800

Study for Classical Bust with Proteas on Red

Oil on Raw-edge Artist Canvas

32 x 28cm, (unframed)

R2 600

Study for Still Life with Classical Bust and Proteas

Oil on Raw-edge Artist Canvas

31 x 33cm, (unframed)

R2 200

& Out

 
Painted in oil during his time studying in Florence, these en plein air works capture Jacques Viljoen’s intimate engagement with the city, inside and out.

Florence from Above

30 x 40cm

Oil on Gesso Panel

R14 200

Evening on the Arno 

30 x 40cm

Oil on Gesso Panel

R12 400

Santa Maria del Fiore, Firenze

35 x 25cm

Oil on Gesso Panel

R12 400

Tuscan View

30 x 40cm

Oil on Gesso Panel

R12 400

Tuscany, Outskirts of Florence

25 x 35cm

Oil on Gesso Panel

R11 400

Toscana, Firenze

35 x 25cm

Oil on Gesso Panel

R10 400

Piazza della Signoria

35 x 25cm, (unframed)

Oil on Gesso Panel

R6 400

Porta Romana, Firenze

35 x 25, (unframed)

Oil on Gesso Panel

R6 400

To view more of Jacques’ artwork completed in Cape Town, click here.
 

Past Exhibitions at the Gallery

Robert Broadley

A catalogue of oil paintings by Robert Broadley, showcasing his expressive impressionist style and masterful handling of light.

Francois Roux

A catalogue of landscapes, nature-inspired paintings, still lifes and portraiture by François Roux, showcasing his distinctive abstract style and vibrant jewel-toned palette.

Ronan Quinlan

A collection of botanical gouache studies exploring lilies, poppies, sunflowers and cat studies set among garden flowers.

Hannah Watts

an Exhibition of Ceramics Inspired by the Kente Textiles of Ghana

Chandler House
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