The Iziko South African National Gallery is South Africa’s premier art gallery. Situated on Government Avenue in the Company Gardens, the building was completed in 1930. It houses wonderful collections of South African, African, British, French, Dutch and Flemish art.
The National Gallery collection began in 1871 with a bequest of 45 paintings from Thomas Butterworth Bayley, a British maritime artist. It subsequently grew into a collection of international stature, receiving generous donations from its early patrons
Since 1990 the gallery has concentrated on acquiring contemporary South African art, the aim being to reflect the expressive, vibrant culture of the African continent, in particular South Africa.
The gallery has established an authoritative collection of African beadwork and is now concentrating on adding to their collection of indigenous sculpture. They are also active in the repatriation of artifacts removed from the country over the last two hundred years.
The permanent collection is complemented by a range of temporary exhibitions that take place throughout the year.
The building houses a shop selling books, posters, postcards and other memorabilia.
The café is currently closed.
The gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm. It is closed on Mondays, Workers Day and Christmas Day.
Tel +27 (0)481 3956
