Soak up the art scene at Rupert Museum in Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch is well-renowned for its incredible wines, world-class university, and love of rugby. However, it's also a hotspot for art and culture. If you're looking for food for the soul, it's best to start your tour at an elegant Cape Dutch-style building down quiet Stellentia Road. This is Rupert Museum, home to the private collection of Anton and Huberte Rupert, spanning over 350 modern South African art. You'll be treated to an exquisite display of paintings, sculptures, and tapestries, all carefully curated to highlight the richness of South Africa's artistic heritage. 

The story behind Rupert Museum

The Rupert Museum in Stellenbosch Central has a vibrant history that is as fascinating as the artwork it houses. The museum was the brainchild of the late Anton Rupert and his wife Huberte, who gathered a spectacular collection from the 1940s to the early 2000s. After a fire scare in their home, Huberte commissioned a gallery to showcase their collection and share it with the public. 

The result is an intimate and unpretentious museum, designed by South African architect Hannes Meiring, that seamlessly blends into the surrounding Boland farm landscape. With its simple white-washed walls and tranquil setting among vineyards and oak trees along the Eerste River, the Rupert Museum has become a must-visit destination for art lovers and architectural enthusiasts alike.

A peek at the masterpieces on display

The exhibits at the Rupert Museum are as varied as they are impressive. There's a treasure trove of talent on display from celebrated as well as up-and-coming artists. Archives, past and present, have celebrated bronze and stone figurative sculptures, showcased JH Pierneef's landscape mastery, and spotlighted African Modernism's innovative and experimental approach. 

The museum has created a dialogue around mental illness and neurodegeneration-related illnesses and has taken audiences back to South Africa's troubled history through struggle art. Over the years, the works of South Africa's finest like Irma Stern, Maggie Laubser, Cecil Higgs, Jean Welz, and Anton van Wouw have graced the museum walls. But, the museum has also given room to promote emerging artists through its open-call exhibitions. 

Add colour to your social calendar

Rupert Museum has gone beyond the art on the walls, becoming an artistic and social hangout for Stellenbosch residents. The museum regularly hosts free hour-long guided tours to explore their current exhibitions and dive into art-centric conversations. You can also find your Zen through free yoga sessions led by Lente Kritzinger.

Also a treat for the ears (as well as the eyes), the museum holds music performances through its #GallerySessions. If you'd like to hone your own artistic ability and simply have fun, you can attend their workshops. In the past, Rupert Museum has helped young and old unleash their creativity through smudge drawing and Gelli plate printmaking. Art enthusiasts and collectors should keep an eye out for their exclusive auctions, where you can invest in and add extraordinary artwork to your collection.

Unwind and relax at the museum cafe

After taking in the works on display, Rupert Museum cafe is a favourite refuge for  visitors. Bright and airy, it offers a charming place to enjoy a light meal or coffee while taking in views of vineyards and oak trees. As you step in, take a moment to admire the original Vladimir Tretchikoff fireplace, an imposing accent feature against the wall. 

On the menu, you can bite down on toasted sandwiches, nibble on a salad, or ponder over a slow-roasted pork belly wrap, penne bolognese, or a poke bowl. For the sweet tooth, there's banana bread, scones, and carrot cake, to name a few options. 

This beautiful space can also be the venue for your next corporate event, book launch, work function, or family event. Alternatively, you can opt for the MakerStudio which is ideal for workshops, host a cocktail reception in one of the gallery spaces, or have a photoshoot in the museum's gardens. 

Nurture your artistic spirit

With the renowned Rupert Museum just a stone's throw away, Stellenbosch offers quality living for those who enjoy the finer things in life. The museum's revolving exhibitions, events, and facilities are sure to enrich your experience and inspire you. If you're ready to take the next step, Lew Geffen Sotheby's International Realty is here to help. View our properties for sale or properties to let, and contact our team at your convenience.