A Stellenbosch Sunday: A Journey Through Art and Landscape
As much as I love the big skies, far away mountains, muted colours and rugged textures of the Karoo, I am equally drawn to the Cape Winelands—especially in the Stellenbosch and Franschhoek valleys. There's something almost magical about the lush greenery that dominates the landscape here in late winter when the vines are heavy and full with fruit and leaf. It's in complete contrast to the Karoo’s muted, dusty umbers and greys. In the heart of the Stellenbosch and Franschoek valleys the vineyards stretch for miles, offering a feast for the eyes, a sea of green that feels endless when the vines are at their peak just before the harvest.
What I wanted to capture here in A Stellenbosch Sunday, is the essence of this iconic South African wine growing region while at the same time, weaving in layers of both personal connection and a broader history. For me, Stellenbosch and surrounding area isn’t just a place of natural beauty and winemaking heritage—it holds some family roots as well. My daughter studied music here at Stellenbosch University, so the town holds some fond memories for me, and for her, even though I live in far away Clarens now, and she lives in even further away London.
Another deep connection is this... there have been Bonney Paintings bought, sold and changing hands in Stellenbosch over years and decades—and some still there, hanging in home and hotel.
It’s a place where the old and new come together in an amazing dynamic way, merging centuries of history with the youthful energy and buzz of a modern university town.
The Green Heart of the Cape Winelands
The Cape Winelands, and Stellenbosch in particular, stand out for their sheer natural beauty. The vibrant green of the vineyards is something that captivates you instantly. It’s a restful color, a balm for the soul, especially after long stretches spent in the drier, harsher Karoo. In winter, when the vines are heavy with leaf and fruit, there’s an almost celebratory feel to the landscape that speaks of abundance, and the region becomes a patchwork quilt of greens—bright emeralds, deep olives, and every shade in between.
But there’s more to Stellenbosch than its stunning vineyards. The town itself, with its historical Cape Dutch architecture and centuries-old oak trees, exudes a charm that few places can match. It’s as if every street corner has a story to tell. Established over 350 years ago, Stellenbosch is one of the oldest towns in South Africa, founded by the Cape Colony’s first governor, Simon van der Stel. The town was named after him—“Stel’s Bush” in old Dutch—and has grown into a thriving hub for education, culture, and, of course, wine.
Stellenbosch University plays a central role in the town’s life and youthful energy that contrasts so beautifully with its historical backdrop. During the university semester months, the streets are filled with students, the hum of their conversation and happy presence mingling with the town’s quieter, more reflective corners. The blend of old and new is seamless here—there’s a sense of timelessness that I love.
A Rich History of Wine and Culture
When Simon van der Stel ventured beyond the safety of Cape Town’s fort in the late 1600s, he established Stellenbosch along the banks of the Eerste Rivier (the First River), so named by him because this was the first river these intrepid adventurers came across in their exploration of the hinterland, this marking the beginnings of what would become South Africa’s famed wine country. It wasn’t long though, before the early French Huguenot settlers arrived, bringing with them their winemaking traditions. It so happens that the dry, stony soil of the Cape, combined with the region’s Mediterranean climate, turned out to be ideal for viticulture, giving rise to what is now a world-class wine industry.
Today, Stellenbosch is home to some of the most renowned wine estates in the world, each one with its own unique history and contribution to the country’s wine legacy. Boschendal, for example, which lies about midway between Stellenbosch and Franschoek along the R310 in the Drakenstein valley, where this painting is set, has been producing wine for centuries and is one of South Africa’s oldest wine farms. Yet, as A Stellenbosch Sunday illustrates, behind the picture-perfect settings and luxurious experiences that tourists often see, there’s another side to life in these vineyards—one that’s simpler, yet equally complex in its own way.
The Story Behind the Painting
At first glance, A Stellenbosch Sunday appears to be a serene landscape—a view over Boschendal towards the Drakenstein mountain range, framed by the rolling vineyards and the striking mountain backdrop. But as with most of my paintings, this scene is more than just a realistic depiction of a place. It’s my interpretation of the life that pulses through these winelands, both seen and unseen.
In the foreground, we see a worker's cottage, with figures engaged in their daily routines. This is the “other” side of Stellenbosch and surrounds, the side that many a tourist, sipping their chilled wine and snacking on langoustines in the grand manor houses, may never notice. Here the gable of the Boschendal manor house is just visible beyond the trees, a subtle suggestion of the wealth and glamour that defines the winelands for many visitors. But, in the foreground, we see the people whose labor keeps these farms running—their lives are simpler, perhaps, but no less rich in complexity.
The contrast between these two worlds—the luxury of the manor houses and the earthy reality of the workers—is something that fascinates me. In this painting, I wanted to suggest both sides of the Stellenbosch story. Yes, there’s beauty and elegance in the architecture, the fine wines, and the manicured landscapes, but there’s also a raw, unpolished beauty in the people who work the land. Their stories are woven into the very fabric of this region, just as much as the vines that stretch across the hills.
A Personal Interpretation
While my work is often described as hyper-realistic, it’s important to note that I don’t strive for photographic accuracy. Instead, I want to capture and portray the essence of a place—the feeling it evokes, the stories it holds, and the life that hums beneath the surface. A Stellenbosch Sunday is no exception. It’s not an exact replica, it’s an interpretation, a moment in time, but hopefully also a reflection of the layered history and culture of the Cape Winelands.
As I reflect on this scene, I find myself thinking about the many lives that intersect here—students, tourists, winemakers and laborers. Even my own daughter Alison, each with their own connection to the land. For me, this painting is not just about a beautiful view; it’s about capturing the spirit of the Stellenbosch and Franschoek valleys, a place that is at once old and new, simple and complex, elegant and earthy.