Department of History

Permanent URI for this community

https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/50

Browse

Browsing Department of History by browse.metadata.advisor "Du Ry, C. J."

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    William Fehr (1892-1968) and his contribution to the study of South African history and cutlure
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2000) Koperski, Karl; Du Ry, C. J.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Department of History.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to establish which determining influences in the evolution of the valuable Africana collection in Castle Good Hope and Rust-en-Vreugd motivated the German Cape-born merchant William Fehr to build up his best-known achievement. The finding of this study is that Fehr was not lead by theories of art or Africana, but that his Collection carries a far more individual and personal character. The study is therefore basically biographical and shows the close relationship between Fehr's personal experience and views, and the values he tries to depict. This is traced, for example, in the life of William Fehr as a child and young man in Burgersdorp, Germany and London. It was found that contact with and appreciation of South African artwork, as with that of Europe, fascinated him. He was interested in all aspects of South Africa's peoples and cultures, developing thus a particular expertise. The Collection is a mirror of South African culture and history, offering a cultural meeting-place to all the land's inhabitants. Fehr wished thereby to improve the quality of life by focussing on the shared heritage, presenting a view of culture which embraced the complexities and rewards of commerce, social endeavour and the family. He did not build up the Collection through motives of financial gain, personal fame or political favour. For him, rather, it was a matter of personal contact with the land and its people. Also included are wildlife and the whole environment, not merely as static facts but as bridges between the past and the present. The William Fehr Collection was recently proclaimed a National Treasure. This view of culture and history is also to be found in Fehr's numerous activities in support of heritage conservation. He had been a moving force behind the preservation of the Old Malay Quarter in Cape Town. Fehr also translated from the German Ludwig Alberti's description of the Xhosa around 1800. William Fehr was given awards by academic bodies and historical organizations in recognition of his far-sighted appreciation of conservation. This study also demonstrates how Fehr's personal ideals came to be reflected in his Collection, which is in essence autobiographical.