Erasmus's paintings feature bright colors and dynamic forms.
[1] Erasmus spent time in Paris in the early 1950s with other South Africans (Christo Coetzee, Paul du Toit, and Eric Loubser).
[3] Nel Erasmus worked at the Johannesburg Art Gallery from 1957 and was the director from 1966 until her retirement in 1977.
[4] She contributed to the acquisition of artworks for public and corporate (especially Sanlam and Sasol) collections in South Africa, in particular the international modern and contemporary collection at the Johannesburg Art Gallery.
The acquisition of this painting of a clown was met with resistance, leading to Erasmus writing a paper defending the decision.