Selected paintings of Southern African peoples, by Barbara Tyrrell (1912–2015). Tempera on Burlap.

Selected paintings of Southern African peoples, by Barbara Tyrrell (1912–2015). Tempera on Burlap.

“Tyrrell was a lifelong scholar in studying African rituals and clothing of the traditional people of South Africa and she authored several books on the subject. The University of Pretoria purchased this collection from the artist in 1988.

 Tyrrell is known internationally for her detailed costume studies of the traditional dress of the indigenous peoples of southern Africa. 

Short biography: Barbara Eleanor Harcourt Tyrrell was born on 15 March 1912 in Durban, South Africa. Her father, died while she was a small child. He had occupied the post of assistant magistrate and later interpreter in the Department of Native Affairs and had been stationed in various Natal towns, his final post was in Eshowe in Zululand. Tyrrell's grandfather was Frederick Fynney, interpreter and companion to the Zulu King Cetshwayo during the latter's visit to Queen Victoria in 1882. Tyrrell trained as an artist at the former University of Natal during the 1930's, when the Fine Arts department was still linked with that of the former Technical College. Tyrrell was 104 years old when she passed away in 2016.” -University of Pretoria Museums