A famous landscape artist, Gerrit Pitout (71), who was also well known in the Lowveld, has sadly passed away in the Upington Mediclinic on Sunday, December 15, when his vital organs failed.

Pitout’s curator and friend, Marize Moller, told this publication she had known him for many years.

“I just feel very emotional when I have to speak about him. He was a very talented artist. When he was in Nelspruit, he met and collaborated with my dad, who was also an artist,” said Moller.

She confirmed that Pitout was a teacher by profession and loved teaching art.

Moller said Pitout fell sick while on holiday in the Kgalagadi region, which was one of the areas that inspired his artwork.

“He apparently did not know he had health issues with his vital organs until he was on holiday there.
“I pray to God he may touch his family and give them strength to deal with the situation they are faced with,” said Moller.

She said the family needed space to deal with the situation.

“His wife, René, did speak to me on the phone a while ago. I think it is still too early to speak about the funeral arrangements and I believe the family needs space to deal with this,” she said.

On his Facebook page, Pitout had mentioned how fortunate he was to be an artist for so many decades.

“I’m fortunate to create and live my dream as a professional artist for more than 53 years.”

Many people have sent condolences to Pitout’s loved ones and friends on Facebook following a moving tribute published on Monday.

“I am so sad to hear this. Although I never met Gerrit, his work and ethos have been hugely inspiring for my own artistic journey. My prayers go out to his family,” said one of his followers, Gary Clarke.

Dan Carpenter said he only started following Pitout’s work a few months ago, but he loved his art.

“My sincere condolences to his family,” he said.

According to the tribute, in his childhood, Pitout was a shy boy who loved sketching and drawing.

“He wasn’t one for popularity, but his uniqueness shone through in his art. It was during his family’s move from Johannesburg to the lush landscapes of Barberton that Gerrit truly began to flourish. The Lowveld, its rolling hills, towering trees and warm, welcoming climate spoke directly to his soul. He became a true Laevelder, deeply connected to the natural beauty that surrounded him. The move marked a turning point in his life, igniting the passion for landscapes that would later define his art.”