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"Meester" G.F.W.M. Schmidt (1818-1885): skepper van muurtekste en stamlyste in Volkstyl


OG Malan

Abstract

"Meester" G.F.W.M. Schmidt (1818-1885): vernacular artist of mural texts and family trees


G.F.W.M. Schmidt was born in The Hague, Netherlands in 1818. After serving in the army for 21 years, he was honourably discharged in 1857. In the 1870's he transferred under unknown circumstances to the district of Fraserburg where he served as respected private tutor on a number of farms. He died as "unmarried schoolmaster" in 1885 at the age of 67 years at Fraserburg, where his grave can be seen. His lasting legacy is a number of striking mural texts and family trees in a sophisticated vernacular style.


G.F.W.M. Schmidt is in 1818 in s'Gravenhage, Holland gebore en nadat hy 21 jaar in die Nederlandse leรซr was, tree hy in 1857 eervol uit diens. Onder onbekende omstandighede beland hy in die sewentigerjare in die distrik van Fraserburg waar hy op verskillende plase as gerespekteerde "skoolmeester" diens doen. Hy sterf in 1885 as 67-jarige "unmarried schoolmaster" op Fraserburg, waar sy graf te sien is. Sy permanente nalatenskap is 'n aantal treffende muurtekste en "stamlijste" in 'n gesofistikeerde volkstyl.


South African Journal of Cultural History Vol.17(2) 2003: 95-107

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eISSN: 1011-3053