The Rembrandt Group then acquired the building and Dr Rupert
undertook to have it restored and converted into an art
museum on condition that a sufficient number of South
African artists would donate for this purpose an example of
their best work. This appeal, made in personal
letters, had an immediate and enthusiastic response.
On 26 July 1966 the art museum, with a
total of 90 paintings and sculptures donated by 83 artists,
was opened by the then State President, Mr C.R. Swart, and
given in perpetual trust to the Town Council of
Graaff-Reinet. In gratitude, the Council named the
museum the Hester Rupert Art Museum in honour of Dr Rupert's
late mother. The building was declared a national
monument on 4 October 1968.
Since then, more artists have donated
works to the museum and to date the collection comprises 126
works by 106 artists. Most of the collection is
devoted to works produced by artists working in the 1960's
who responded positively to the call to save the building
for posterity. This collection should not be regarded
as representative of 20th Century South African artists but
rather as a small, focused collection, as which it remains
highly significant.
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