Irma Stern lived in The Firs from 1927 until her death in 1966.
The house interior features furniture and decor hand-painted by Stern herself.
The collection includes over 200 of Stern's paintings and a massive archive of her correspondence.
Stern was a prolific collector of indigenous art, and many of these African carvings and textiles are displayed alongside her paintings.
The museum grounds include a Mediterranean-style garden originally designed by Stern.
The house has been declared a South African National Monument.
The Irma Stern Museum, known as The Firs, is the historic Cape Town home and studio where South African expressionist painter Irma Stern lived and worked for nearly four decades. The site preserves her original collection of paintings, sketches, and global artifacts curated during her extensive travels to Central and East Africa. Visitors can explore the preserved studio, which maintains much of the atmosphere present during the artist's lifetime. The house displays a significant portion of Stern's oeuvre, including still lifes, portraits, and scenes from her travels. The property is managed by the University of Cape Town. It serves as both a permanent exhibition space for Stern’s work and a venue for contemporary South African art exhibitions.
The studio space, specifically the corner featuring Stern's large easel and brushes, provides the most authentic view.
Check the museum's official website for current temporary exhibition schedules before visiting.
Take time to observe the textures of the painted furniture in the living area, which show Stern’s unique artistic style.
Allocate time to walk through the garden area, which was a frequent subject in her botanical paintings.
Do not attempt to touch the artifacts or the furniture, as many items are original to the house and fragile.
Closed on Sundays and public holidays.
Quiet contemplation is expected; photography is generally permitted for personal use without flash.
