Alexis Preller (born with Pretoria the September 6th 1911 and deceased in Pretoria the December 13rd 1975) was a painter South-African.

Alexis Preller makes studies at the school of Westminster School (1934) to London and with the Academy of the Large Thatched cottage (1937) with Paris. He particularly studies the work of Paul Gauguin and Vincent van Gogh of which he is inspired for his tables as for his painting by the garden by Eden (1937) inspired by tables tahitiens by Gauguin.

During the Second world war, Alexis Preller is built-in the medical profession of the South-African army and is made prisoner with Tobrouk by the German S. Prisoner of war during 2 years, the horrors of the war are present in his work at his return in South Africa.

Gradually, it integrates in its work of the elements drawn from the African imagery.

Its work grows rich with the passing of years by references to the African Art of the Swaziland and the Belgian Congo like with the Fresque S of Piero della Francesca and with the murals of old the Egypt ( Hieratic Women in 1956).

Alexis Preller is one of the leaders of the movement South-African Surréaliste of the Sixties.

External bonds

• Preller in Tatham Art artistic Gallery
• Work of Preller