He had training in academic sculpture in Europe, initially in the studio of the Belgian sculptor Joseph Graven (1836–1877), later through evening classes at the Rotterdam Academy, and also working alongside other Stucco workers such as Vielvoije.

[1] The experience which he gained early in his life as a stucco-worker had also influenced his preference in the art of modeling.

[2] When Anton van Wouw arrived in South Africa from the Netherlands, he was twenty-eight years old.

He looks slightly down, the brow is furrowed, and his arms are tightly crossed over his chest, as if he is cutting himself off from the onlooker.

[6] In The Sleeping African of 1907,[7] the subject is totally relaxed, fast asleep with mouth open and head slightly tilted to the right.

The Skapu Player (1907) shows the African in a seated position relaxing while he plays his music.

With dignity and respect, Van Wouw sculptured King Khama, head of the Bamangwatu.

The Van Wouw House, which was completed in 1938, shows the personal style that Norman Eaton had already developed at the time.

The house itself was built with face brick, has a thatch roof and wooden window frames with shutters.

The sound of water in the fishpond, climbing plants and lush gardens link the dwelling to the surrounding landscape.

During the 25th Annual General Meeting of the Rembrandt Group on 16 November 1973, Dr Anton Rupert announced that a sum of money equal to the selling price of the property had been given to the University of Pretoria to purchase the Van Wouw House.