Heritage Cases

Application is made for the temporary export of two painted stones in the collection of the Rock Art Research Institute, University of the Witwatersrand (RARI), to the Rijksmuseum, Netherlands for inclusion in a temporary exhibition. The Rijksmuseum approached the RARI to loan the two objects. After due consideration, the RARI has agreed to the loan, conditional on the issue of a temporary export permit by the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA). The request to loan objects and the RARI’s agreement to the loan are in line with the bilateral agreement entered into between the South African and Dutch governments which inter alia calls on parties to act in a co-operative way (agreement attached to this application). A loan agreement describing the terms of the loan between the two institutions has been signed (loan agreement attached to this application). The objects RP/2005/058 is a roughly rectangular block of sandstone approximately 450 x 290 x 200 mm in maximum dimensions. Paintings on the stone depict two human figures encircled by a white line. An antelope painted in red is to the right of these figures; an ostrich in black and white is painted to the upper left of the stone. The stone is illustrated and full details provided in other parts of this application. RP/2005/060 is a roughly trapezoidal-shaped block of sandstone approximately 410 x 300 x 70 mm in maximum dimensions. A single antelope, probably a rhebuck, painted in white is depicted on the stone. The stone is illustrated and full details provided in other parts of this application. The exhibition The Rijks Museum is preparing a major exhibition about the historic relations between South Africa and the Netherlands entitled ‘Goede Hoop’ (Good Hope). The exhibition will take place between 18 February and 21 May 2017. The Netherlands and South Africa have had a closely woven shared history since 1652 when the Dutch East India Company (VOC) established a refreshment station at the Cape for ships trading between the Netherlands and the Indies. The expansion of the Cape into a colony, the creation of a distinct ‘Cape Dutch’ culture, and the introduction and establishment of Islamic cultures via the slaves and ‘bannelingen’ (exiles) imported by the Dutch, will all be examined. Central to the first part of the exhibition will be the Rijksmuseum’s own collection of water colours made by the Dutch soldier and explorer Robert Gordon, which charts the physical extent, the population and the natural history of the colony in the final days of VOC rule. The continued Dutch interest in the Boer Republics and the involvement of Netherlanders in the expansion of South Africa during the nineteenth century will be fully covered. Finally, the groundswell of anti-apartheid feeling in the Netherlands, and the country’s contribution to the establishment of a free democracy will be illustrated, ending with the arrival of Nelson Mandela in the Netherlands in 1990 to begin his first tour of Europe as a freed man. Motivation The South African and Dutch governments have entered into a joint understanding related to several cultural exchanges, including the exhibition described in this application. The understanding, drafted by the respective Ministers of Culture, Mr Nathi Mthethwa and Dr Jet Bussemaker, strongly supports the exhibition and calls on those involved to act in a co-operative way. In this spirit of co-operation, RARI fully supports the exhibition and is pleased to loan the two painted stones. As the national museum of the Netherlands, and receiving more than two million visitors per annum, the Rijksmuseum is one of the world’s leading museums. A major international exhibition on South African history at such an institution can only be of benefit to the country. The inclusion of indigenous rock art in the exhibition is fully supported, not only because it highlights one of South Africa’s premier cultural treasures, but also because these objects are amongst very few that illustrate the colonial process from an indigenous perspective. Loan period It is requested to loan the two objects to the Rijksmuseum between 1 January and 30 June 2017. A temporary export permit for these dates is requested.