A commemorative exhibition of the work of painter and cartoonist John Amshewitz opens in the City Hall in Johannesburg

Date: 16 Sep 1943
Updated: 30 Sep 2019

A commemorative exhibition of the work of painter and cartoonist John Amshewitz opens in the City Hall in Johannesburg

John Henry Amshewitz was born in Ramsgate, England in 1882. He came to South Africa with the intention of only staying for six months but ended up staying for six years. Amshewitz explored most of the paintings in the media of the time. His diverse genres included landscapes, portraits and still life. A great cartoonist and illustrator, he found work at the Rand Daily Mail and The Sunday Times. During his career, he held numerous exhibitions locally and abroad. He left for England in 1922, spent 14 years at home, but later returned to South Africa in 1936. Amshewitz died on 6 December 1942 in Muzienburg, Cape Town. In 1943 a commemorative exhibition of his work, opened by Lord Harlech, was held at the Johannesburg City Hall.

Search events by date

What happened on your birthday?

How we know this

01artwarefineart.com, 2011.‘John Henry Amshewitz’ [online] Available at www.artwarefineart.com [Accessed 10 August 2011]
02ArcyArt.com, 2011. ‘John Henry Amshewitz ”“ South African Artist, Paintings 1882-1942’ South African Art History - South African Historical Artists [online] Available at www.arcyart.com [Accessed 10 August 2011]

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, August 31). A commemorative exhibition of the work of painter and cartoonist John Amshewitz opens in the City Hall in Johannesburg. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0068061

South African History Online (2011) 'A commemorative exhibition of the work of painter and cartoonist John Amshewitz opens in the City Hall in Johannesburg', South African History Online, 31 August. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0068061 (Accessed: 2 October 2026).

South African History Online, A commemorative exhibition of the work of painter and cartoonist John Amshewitz opens in the City Hall in Johannesburg [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0068061, (accessed 2 October 2026).

"A commemorative exhibition of the work of painter and cartoonist John Amshewitz opens in the City Hall in Johannesburg." South African History Online, 31 Aug. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0068061. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

South African History Online. "A commemorative exhibition of the work of painter and cartoonist John Amshewitz opens in the City Hall in Johannesburg." South African History Online. August 31, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0068061.