Explore Our Farm
Our Art Walk
Although highly individual in expression, each piece on our estate reflects the values we cherish—from celebrating artistic talent and innovation to preserving our rich heritage and natural environment.
As you stop at each work, scan the QR codes on the onsite signage to unlock online profiles, artist stories, and deeper insights into their vision.
Pursuing an anti-clockwise path, your discovery will take you to:
- (A) We start close to our 1773 Homestead with a sculpture by local artist, Manuela Holzer of an Indian Runner duck, symbolic of our regenerative, natural and holistic approach to farming.
- (B) (reception area) Homage to Löwenmensch by Dylan Lewis
- (C) (visible upon entry) Beast with Two Backs IV Life Size by Dylan Lewis
- (D) (dam wall) Male Trans-Figure by Dylan Lewis
- (E) (Indigenous landscaped garden) Brandes Garden, inspired by flora discovered and depicted by Dutch artist Jan Brandes during his visit here from 1786 to 1787
- (F) (close to Chapel) Maze by Terry de Vries
- (G) (inside Chapel) Triptych altarpiece (reproduction) by 16th century German artist Hans Baldung Grien, taught by legendary artist Albrecht Dürer. (If the chapel is closed, please ask staff to open for you.)
- (H) (adjacent to Chapel) Labyrinth by Terry de Vries
- (I) (Amy’s Island) Beast with Two Backs Maquette S-H 79 (2) by Dylan Lewis
- (J) (close to Clara’s Barn) Male Trans-Figure IX by Dylan Lewis
- (K) (in front of Clara’s Barn) Maquettes: Male Torso IV and Torso V by Dylan Lewis
- (L) (inside Clara’s Barn) Vergenoegd Farm (reproductions) by Jan Brandes, produced between 1786 and 1787. A 23-carat gold-leaf edition of the Indian Runner duck by Manuela Holzer.
(*If the restaurant is closed, please refer to our website for details of these works and our opening hours.)
From here you continue your journey aside the dam back to the Homestead – the perfect opportunity to enjoy a glass of our award-winning wines and the tranquillity of the werf!
A) Runner Duck
Our art walk begins near the historic 1773 Vergenoegd Löw Homestead with a sculpture by local artist Manuela Holzer, featuring an Indian Runner duck. This piece is symbolic of the estate’s regenerative, natural, and holistic approach to farming, blending art and ethos seamlessly. Holzer, a renowned South African sculptress, created this bronze work as part of her exploration of diverse media, setting the tone for the 15 highlights along the route.
From here, follow the cobblestones in a northerly direction towards the main parking area and the hotel reception, where you’ll encounter Homage to Löwenmensch by renowned sculptor Dylan Lewis.
Manuela Holzer
Bronze
Dylan Lewis (2023)
Bronze, Edition of 12
B) Homage to Löwenmensch S-H 87 a
The original Paleolithic Löwenmensch (Lion Man) carving was found in the Hohlenstein-Stadel cave near Munich, Germany. The fantastical animal/human hybrid (dating from between 35 000 and 41 000 years ago), depicts a human-like body with the head of a lion. After seeing the Löwenmensch, Lewis was inspired to create his own version. The complex sculpture expresses our evolution from animal to conscious humanity. It questions the nature of our progress and our impact on other beings and the earth itself.
From the hotel reception, continue along the cobblestones in a northerly direction to return to the point where you first entered the parking area. Here, you’ll find Beast with Two Backs IV Life Size by Dylan Lewis, a striking sculpture visible upon arrival and an evocative continuation of the journey through our curated art collection.
C) Beast with Two Backs IV Life Size I S-H 30 e
A chthonic work of undisguised erotic exuberance that celebrates the sometimes anarchic underworld of our unconscious, our spontaneous sensual impulses and desires. We all spring from and return to the earth as we connect, disconnect, reconnect and negotiate our way through the world.
From Beast with Two Backs IV Life Size, follow the cobblestones in a westerly direction towards the dam wall, where you’ll discover Male Trans-Figure by Dylan Lewis. Positioned against the backdrop of Table Mountain, this powerful sculpture invites reflection as part of your journey through our thoughtfully curated art walk.
Dylan Lewis (2017)
Bronze, Edition of 6
Dylan Lewis (2009)
Bronze, Edition of 12
D) MALE TRANS-FIGURE I S278
The human form hides yet exposes itself. It twists away, but from some perspectives, reveals itself. The work expresses a duality – timidity/reserve but also strength. These are qualities we all hold as we grapple with the complexities of human relationships.
From Male Trans-Figure, continue in a southerly direction along the cobblestones towards the area behind to the Chapel. Here, you’ll find the indigenous landscaped Brandes Garden.
E) Jan Brandes Garden
Brandes Garden, inspired by flora discovered and depicted by Dutch artist Jan Brandes during his visit here from 1786 to 1787. (The garden is currently under development and has been completed and planted.)
On the southern side of the Valentina Chapel, you will find the Maze, a captivating installation designed by renowned artist Terry de Vries.
Jan Brandes
Indigenous landscaped garden
Terry de Vries
Multiple paths, branches and blind alleys
F) The Maze
Mazes have multiple paths which branch off, sometimes leading to blind alleys. To find the point at the centre and to exit is to solve a puzzle. May your walk be enriching, satisfying and fun. There are two paths that lead to the blessing well in the centre. Opened doors may reveal or obscure. To find the centre will require focus and patience, but the effort will feel immensely rewarding. When you walk the maze, follow the sound of water to find the centre. You may be confused, but if you listen closely, you will find the blessing well.
Next to the Maze is the Valentina Chapel. Inside the chapel, you’ll find a stunning triptych altarpiece (reproduction) by 16th-century German artist Hans Baldung Grien, a pupil of the legendary Albrecht Dürer. If the chapel is closed, please ask our staff to open it for you.
G) Valentina Chapel
(inside Chapel) Triptych altarpiece (reproduction) by 16th century German artist Hans Baldung Grien, taught by legendary artist Albrecht Dürer. (If the chapel is closed, please ask staff to open for you.)
On the northern side of the chapel you’ll find the Labyrinth by Terry de Vries, an intricate installation designed to inspire contemplation and connection, seamlessly blending art and environment.
Triptych altarpiece & Hans Baldung Grien
Terry de Vries
Our 7-circuit medieval-style labyrinth
H) Labyrinth
Our 7-circuit medieval-style labyrinth is positioned so its centre lines up with the Botmaskop Mountain in the distance. Both our Vergenoegd Löw labyrinth and maze are the work of Stellenbosch-born Terry de Vries. A leading authority on labyrinths, she has built over 300 to date, some in the Cape Winelands, but many further afield in South Africa and abroad.
From the Labyrinth, head in a southerly direction with the dam on your left towards Amy’s Island. Here, you’ll discover Female Trans-Figure XXXI by Dylan Lewis, a graceful and evocative piece that adds depth to your journey through our art walk.
I) Beast with Two Backs Maquette S-H 79
The mythological man/horse centaur that exudes an unbridled virility, manifests the tension and fusion between humanity and its environment. Man, beast and nature itself must perpetually seek ways to accommodate each other. The tension and power of the work expresses the duality between wild, instinctive primal selfhood and the tamed, rational mind.
From Beast with Two Backs, continue around the dam and head in a southeasterly direction to find the Male Trans-Figure by Dylan Lewis on the opposite side of the dam.
Dylan Lewis (2020)
Bronze, Edition of W8
Dylan Lewis (2014)
Bronze, Edition of 8
J) Male-Trans Figure IX S360
The naked male human form is charged by an explosive animal energy representing the conflict between our wild and tamed selves. Ritualistic animal skull-masks conceal and reveal our wild selves. Our challenge is to manage these opposing forces intuitively and with authenticity.
K) Torso V Maquette S292
Dylan Lewis (2010)
Bronze, Edition of 12
Dylan Lewis (2011)
Bronze, Edition of 12
K) Male Torso IV Maquette S296
A strong, muscular back is bent in thought or in brokenness or both. There is a constant tension between isolated submission and dignified self-reliance as we strive to establish a sense of self.
Enter Clara’s Barn to continue your journey and view Vergenoegd Farm (reproductions) by Jan Brandes, created during his visit from 1786 to 1787, alongside a stunning 23-carat gold-leaf edition of the Indian Runner duck by Manuela Holzer. (*If the restaurant is closed, please refer to our website for details about these works and our opening hours.)
L) Vergenoegd Farm (reproductions)
Drawings and watercolours of buildings, landscapes, flora, fauna and fish
The Jan Brandes panoramas of the Vergenoegd farm proved invaluable to the recent architectural restoration team. He has also given us an insight into what people looked like and did at that time.
Jan Brandes
Gold Runner Duck
Bronze Cast with 23-carat gold leaf
L) 23-karat gold-leaf edition of the Indian Runner
While she created the Indian Runner ducks seen across Vergenoegd Löw in bronze (and one finished in 23-carat gold leaf), she works in a variety of media. Much of her current focus is on the female form in what she calls “extreme states of the human psyche” as she explores the notion of the internal shadow. She says she is on “a mission to make the challenging states of the human psyche visible, relatable, and understandable through art.”
As your journey comes to an end, we hope the art, history, and natural beauty of Vergenoegd Löw have left a lasting impression. Thank you for joining us on this exploration, and we invite you to return soon to discover more of what makes this estate so extraordinary.