Guide to the Papers of Hans Heysen
MS 5073
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Created: 2007
Collection Summary
- Creator
- Heysen, Hans, Sir, 1877-1968
- Title
- Papers of Hans Heysen
- Date Range
- c.1880s-1973 (bulk 1899-1968)
- Collection Number
- MS 5073
- Extent
- 8.95 metres (55 boxes)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- National Library of Australia
Introduction
Scope and Contents
The papers relate to the life and work of South Australian artist Hans Heysen. They include personal and family correspondence, financial papers, personal documents, photographs, minutes and agenda, newscuttings, printed material and ephemera. The personal and family correspondence forms the bulk of the collection.
Conditions Governing Access
Access conditions may apply to this collection, please refer to the collection's catalogue record for further information (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn2615641).
Conditions Governing Use
Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions. For such material, written permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder(s). Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.
Preferred Citation
Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Hans Heysen, National Library of Australia, MS 5073, [series and file number]'.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The papers were presented to the Library in 1975 By David Heysen, the eldest son of Hans and Sallie Heysen. A small number of letters were added to the collection in 1976 and 1986. Another small addition (Series 10) was received from the Curator at 'The Cedars', Hahndorf, in 2003.
Existence and Location of Copies
Selected items from the Heysen Papers have been digitised and are available online through this finding aid.
A number of paintings and drawings by Hans Heysen in the Library's Pictures Collection have also been digitised and are available online through the Library's catalogue (http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/).
Related Materials
The Library's Oral History Collection holds two interviews with Hans Heysen at ORAL TRC1/27 and ORAL TRC 99.
A number of other manuscript collections contain letters written by Hans Heysen. They can be accessed through the Library's catalogue (http://catalogue.nla.gov.au).
Paintings and drawings by Hans Heysen which are held in the Pictures Collection can be located through the Library's catalogue (http://catalogue.nla.gov.au).
Arrangement
The Library has arranged the Heysen Papers into ten series, each of which has been described in this finding aid. In addition, all the correspondence has been indexed and item-numbered, with the exception of family correspondence in Series 2.
Separated Materials
Three folders of letters written by Hans Heysen to his daughter, Nora Heysen, were originally transferred to the Library with Han Heysen's papers in 1975. In 1987 the Library acceded to Nora Heysen's request that the Library return the originals of her father's letters to her. They are now housed in the Nora Heysen Papers (MS 10041) in Series 1.3, Folders 143, 144 and 145.
Biographical Note
Wilhelm Ernst Hans Franz Heysen was born on 8 October 1877 in Hamburg, Germany, the sixth child of Louis and Maria Heysen. His father migrated to South Australia in 1883 and Hans, his mother, brothers and sisters arrived in the following year.
Heysen attended a number of schools in Adelaide as his father tried his hand at a various unsuccessful business enterprises, finally establishing himself as a produce merchant. He left school in 1892, working first in a hardware store and then on one of his father's produce carts. His growing interest in art and drawing resulted in his part-time enrolment at James Ashton's Art School in Norwood. While convalescing at home, after a work accident, Heysen produced his first work of note, a watercolour titled 'The wet road'. This work was purchased by his art teacher, James Ashton.
In 1894, while Ashton returned to England for a visit, Heysen briefly attended the School of Design under the direction of Harry P. Gill. On Ashton's return he moved back to his newly established Academy of Art. In 1898, under the patronage of Robert Barr-Smith, Heysen returned to the School of Design to study for 12 months. During this period Heysen's work was exhibited regularly in Adelaide with the Easel Club and the Society of Arts.
In 1899 a number of Heysen's works were submitted to the Royal Drawing Society of Great Britain and Ireland. He was awarded the first prize and a gold medal for the outstanding work of the year. In the same year Heysen's talent was acknowledged by four prominent Adelaide businessmen. They agreed to finance his studies in Europe in return for the paintings that he produced during this period. He studied first in Paris at the Academie Julian, at Colarossi's Academy and then at the Ecole des Beaux Arts. Summer painting excursions were made to Holland, Scotland and Germany and his last year was spent in Italy.
On his return to Adelaide in 1903 Heysen opened a studio and art school. The following year he won the Wynne prize for his work 'Mystic Morn' and in December married one of his art pupils, Selma (Sallie) Bartels. He continued to earn his living by painting and teaching, selling his pictures to private buyers and various galleries.
In 1908 Heysen held a one-man exhibition in Melbourne which was opened by the Prime Minister, Alfred Deakin. The exhibition was a great success and allowed the Heysen family to move to Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills. It also generated commissions from prominent patrons such as (Dame) Nellie Melba and the Victorian governor. Following further successful exhibitions he was able to purchase 'The Cedars', a property on the outskirts of Hahndorf, in 1912, where he remained for the rest of his life.
Hesyen's work gained steadily in popularity in the 1920s. He became the subject of two dedicated issues of Art in Australia in 1920 and 1928 and was featured in other issues. Over his long career Heysen generated good sales from his exhibitions and private commissions which allowed him to support his family.
Heysen is best known for his landscapes of the Australian bush dominated by gum trees. His favourite locations were the Flinders Ranges (which he first visited in 1926), the Mount Lofty Ranges and the scenery around his home in rural Hahndorf. As well, he painted a range of other subjects including pastoral scenes, seascapes, still life studies and portraits. He was a fine water-colorist, etcher and painter in oils, and also sketched in charcoal and crayon.
Heysen won the Wynne prize nine times between 1904 and 1932, the Crouch prize in 1931 and the Maude Vizard Wholohan prize in 1957. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1945 and knighted in 1959.
He was a member of the Board of the Art Gallery of South Australia from its inception in 1940 until his death. During his life-time Heysen was a generous donor to the Gallery and he also left it a number of artworks in his will. A substantial body of his work is held by the Gallery.
Heysen died in July 1968, aged 90.
Biographical Reference(s)
Hans Heysen, Australian Dictionary of Biography Online, http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A090289b.htm.
Nancy Robinson Flannery, 'Heysen inspired by nature', NLA News, Vol XV, No 2, November 2004.
Hylton, Jane and Neylon, John, Hans Heysen: into the light, Kent Town, SA : Wakefield Press, 2004.
North, et al., comps, Hans Heysen centenary retrospective, 1877-1977, Adelaide : Art Gallery Board of South Australia, 1977.
Item Descriptions
Series 1. General correspondence, 1902-1981
General correspondence, mainly of a personal and business nature. While the bulk of the letters in this series were received by Hans Heysen, there are some letters to Sally Heysen. Family correspondence can be found in Series 2 except for a few miscellaneous letters in this series. Newscuttings attached to letters, telegrams and postcards appear randomly throughout the series.
Over his long life Heysen corresponded with a wide range of people. Included in this series are letters from personal friends, fellow artists, patrons, art dealers, art societies, private collectors, publishers, government organisations, state governors, gallery directors and others in the art world.
The main correspondents include Will Ashton, Julian Ashton, James Bateman, John Brackenreg (Legend Press), Harold Cazneaux, William H. Gill, Elioth Gruner, Frank and George Holman, Dr Shirley Jones, Lionel and Norman Lindsay, Frederick and Louis McCubbin, James McGregor, Dame Nellie Melba, Lloyd Rees, Frank Rinder, Mary Isobel Barr-Smith, W. Baldwin Spencer, Sydney Ure Smith and W. Blamire Young.
Heysen usually composed a rough draft of his letters. A number of these drafts written on the reverse side of an inward letter, on the backs of receipts or on scraps of paper can also be found in this series.
All of the correspondence in this series has been indexed and is arranged chronologically. Refer to the attached Correspondence Index for further details.
Correspondence, January-July 1920 (File 10)
Includes a biographical note by Heysen for a series of reviews on Australian artists (items 832-833).
Comprises Items 820-912.
Correspondence, January-August 1937 (File 37)
At the time of sorting the correspondence item 2943 (letter from Syd Ure Smith) has been incorrectly dated as 1937. The correct date is 27 August 1934.
Comprises Items 2862-2946.
Correspondence, August-December 1938 (File 41)
At the time of sorting the correspondence item 4215 (letter from Syd Ure Smith) has been incorrectly filed. It is dated 28 October 1927.
Comprises Items 4157-4259.
Correspondence, October 1938 (File 42)
Letters and telegrams of condolence received on the death of their daughter, Josephine.
Comprises Items 4260-4315.
Correspondence, October 1938 (File 43)
Letters and telegrams of condolence received on the death of their daughter, Josephine.
Comprises Items 4316-4380.
Correspondence, October-November 1938 (File 44)
Letters and telegrams of condolence received on the death of their daughter, Josephine.
Comprises Items 4381-4452.
Sympathy cards, October 1938 (File 45)
Sympathy cards received on the death of their daughter, Josephine.
Comprises Items 4453-4495.
Correspondence, 1944 (File 53)
Includes two undated reviews of Heysen's work. One of them (item 5183-5185) is by Lionel Lindsay.
Comprises Items 5060-5186.
Correspondence, January-April 1945 (File 54)
Includes congratulatory letters on Heysen's award of the Order of the British Empire.
Comprises Items 5187-5279.
Correspondence, December 1950 (File 67)
Included are some undated letters c.1950s.
Comprises Items 6032-6097.
Correspondence, October-December 1951 (File 70)
Item 6273 is undated. Research relating to this item has dated it as c.March 1915.
Comprises Items 6225-6276.
Correspondence, 1959 (File 86)
Congratulatory letters and telegrams relating to Heysen's knighthood in 1959.
Comprises Items 7409-7544.
Correspondence, 1959 (File 87)
Congratulatory letters and telegrams relating to Heysen's knighthood in 1959.
Comprises Items 7545-7649.
Correspondence, May-September 1960 (File 89)
Includes two draft letters to Daryl Lindsay on the death of Lionel Lindsay.
Comprises Items 7711-7774.
Correspondence, May 1962 (File 97)
Letters and telegrams of sympathy received on the death of Lady Heysen.
Comprises Items 8464-8519.
Sympathy cards, 1962 (File 98)
Sympathy cards received on the death of Lady Heysen.
Comprises Items 8520-8569.
Correspondence, 1967 (File 107)
Includes congratulatory telegrams for Heysen's 90th birthday.
Comprises Items 9212-9284.
Correspondence, 1968-1981 (File 108)
Includes some miscellaneous letters written to David Heysen, the Heysen's oldest son and his wife, Lyly.
Comprises Items 9285-9333a.
Series 2. Family correspondence and documents, 1899-1968
Hans Heysen married Selma (Sallie) Bartels, one of his art students, on the 15 December 1904. They had eight children: Josephine, Freya, Lilian, Nora, David, Deidre, Michael and Stefan. Lilian died in 1925 following a protracted illness and Josephine died from complications after giving birth to a daughter, also named Josephine (Jill) in 1932. Jill was later adopted by Hans and Sallie Heysen.
The Heysen family correspondence contained in this series is quite extensive. They were a close-knit family and regular correspondents. Included is correspondence between Hans and Sallie Heysen; letters from their respective families; letters written by Nora Heysen to her parents including letters from overseas and while serving in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) during the Second World War; letters from David Heysen and later, his wife Lyly Refshauge; letters from Michael and Stephan Heysen including letters written while serving in the Royal Australian Air Force during the Second World War; letters from Josephine, Deidre and Lilian Heysen and letters from their granddaughter Jill (Williams) Heysen.
The letters have been arranged in folders by correspondent. While most of the letters contain a reference to the day or month that they were written, there is usually no record of the year they were written. Where possible, estimates of the dates of the letters have been made and they have been arranged in chronological order.
This series originally included 3 folders of letters from Hans Heysen to his daughter, Nora which were transferred to the Library with Han Heysen's papers in 1975. In 1987 the Library acceded to Nora Heysen's request that the Library return the originals of her father's letters to her. They are now housed in the Nora Heysen Papers (MS 10041) in Series 1.3, Folders 143, 144 and 145.
A number of miscellaneous personal documents have also been placed in this series. They include including two diaries belonging to Josephine Heysen; an address book; school reports belonging to the Heysen children; papers relating to the adoption of Jill (Williams) Heysen and letters and documents relating to the Bartels-Meyer court case.
There are also two folders (254a and 254b) in this series containing papers that are non-family related.
This series requires permission for research until 2011.
Two letters from folder 146 have been digitised as part of the Library's Treasures Gallery and are available online.
Letters from Hans Heysen to Sallie Bartels (Heysen), 1904-1905 (File 115)
Includes some pencilled sketches accompanying letters.
Comprises Items 207-296.
Letters from Hans Heysen to Sallie Heysen, 1907 (File 117)
Letters written while on a painting trip to New Zealand.
Comprises Items 397-481.
Sallie Heysen's letters to Hans Heysen, 1907 (File 125)
Mainly letters written to Hans while travelling in New Zealand.
Letters to Nora Heysen from 'Evie', c.1931-c.1933 (File 140)
Evie' or Everton Stokes (later Shaw) was a friend of Nora's from Adelaide. She spent some time with Nora in London arriving in December 1934.
Letters to Nora Heysen from her father, Hans Heysen, 1930s (File 142)
Dated letters are mainly 1935-1936.
Photocopies of letters. The letters were originally transferred to the Library with Han Heysen's papers. In 1987 the Library acceded to Nora Heysen's request that the Library return the originals of her father's letters to her. They are now housed in the Nora Heysen Papers (MS 10041) in Series 1.3, Folders 143, 144 and 145.
Letters to Nora Heysen from her father, Hans Heysen, 1930s (File 143)
Dated letters are mainly 1935-1937.
Photocopies of letters. The letters were originally transferred to the Library with Han Heysen's papers. In 1987 the Library acceded to Nora Heysen's request that the Library return the originals of her father's letters to her. They are now housed in the Nora Heysen Papers (MS 10041) in Series 1.3, Folders 143, 144 and 145.
Letters to Nora Heysen from her father, Hans Heysen, 1930s (File 144)
Also includes a few letters from her mother. Dated letters are mainly 1934-1937.
Photocopies of letters. The letters were originally transferred to the Library with Han Heysen's papers. In 1987 the Library acceded to Nora Heysen's request that the Library return the originals of her father's letters to her. They are now housed in the Nora Heysen Papers (MS 10041) in Series 1.3, Folders 143, 144 and 145.
Letters from Nora Heysen to her parents, 1930s (File 146)
Letters written by Nora while residing at Duke's Lane, Kensington, c.1934-1938.
Letters from Nora Heysen to her parents, 1930s (File 147)
Letters written by Nora while residing at Duke's Lane, Kensington, c.1935-c.1938.
Letters from Nora Heysen to her parents, 1930s (File 148)
Letters written by Nora while residing at Duke's Lane, Kensington, c.1935-c.1937.
Letters from Nora Heysen to her parents, 1930s (File 149)
Letters written by Nora while residing at Duke's Lane, Kensington, c.1935-1937.
Letters from Nora Heysen to her parents, 1930s (File 150)
Letters written by Nora while residing at Duke's Lane, Kensington, c.1934-c.1937.
Letters from Nora Heysen to her parents, 1930s (File 151)
Letters written by Nora while residing at Duke's Lane, Kensington, c.1935-1937.
Letters from Nora Heysen to her parents, 1930s (File 152)
Letters written by Nora while residing at Duke's Lane, Kensington, c.1936-c.1939.
Letters from Nora Heysen to her parents, 1930s (File 153)
Letters written by Nora while residing at Duke's Lane, Kensington, c.1935-c.1937.
Letters from Nora Heysen to her parents, 1930s (File 154)
Letters written by Nora while residing at 'Rempstone Farm', Dorset, c.1936-c.1937.
Letters from Nora Heysen to her parents, 1930s (File 155)
Letters written by Nora while residing at 'St Ravena' and 'Westchester', c.1938-c.1939.
Letters from Nora Heysen to her parents, 1930s (File 156)
Includes letters from Nora while travelling around England and Wales and from Paris as well as letters written on her return to Australia.
Letters from Nora Heysen to her parents, 1940s (File 160)
Letters written by Nora while residing at Montague Place, Elizabeth Bay, c.1940-1941.
Letters from Nora Heysen to her parents, 1940s (File 161)
Letters written by Nora while residing at 'Westchester', Elizabeth Bay, c.1939-c.1944.
Letters from Nora Heysen to her parents, 1940s (File 162)
Letters written by Nora while residing at Croxbeth Road, Liverpool, England, c.1948.
Letters from Nora Heysen to her parents, 1940s (File 163)
Letters written by Nora while serving in the 2nd Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) as an official war artist, 1943-1946.
Letters from Nora Heysen to her parents, 1940s (File 164)
Letters written by Nora while serving in the 2nd Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) as an official war artist, 1943-1946.
Letters from Nora Heysen to her parents, 1949-1953 (File 165)
Letters written by Nora while residing at College St, Sydney.
Letters from Nora Heysen to her parents, 1949-1953 (File 166)
Letters written by Nora while residing at College St, Sydney.
Letters from Nora Heysen to her parents, 1950s (File 167)
Letters written by Nora while visiting the British Solomon Islands, the Trobriand Islands and other Pacific Islands.
Some of the letters contain sketches of local scenes.
Letters from Nora Heysen to her parents, 1950s (File 168)
Letters written by Nora mainly from Longueville and Baulkham Hills, Sydney, c.1953-1954.
Letters from Nora Heysen to her parents, 1950s (File 169)
Letters written by Nora while residing at Hunters Hill, Sydney, c.1954-c.1957.
Letters from Nora Heysen to her parents, 1950s (File 170)
Letters written by Nora while residing at Hunters Hill, Sydney.
Letters from Nora Heysen to her parents, 1950s (File 171)
Letters written by Nora while residing at Hunters Hill, Sydney, c.1954-c.1958.
Letters from Nora Heysen to her parents, 1950s (File 172)
Letters written by Nora while residing at Hunters Hill, Sydney, c.1953-c.1955.
Letters from Nora Heysen to her parents, 1950s (File 173)
Letters written by Nora while residing at Hunters Hill, Sydney.
Letters from Nora Heysen to her parents, 1960s (File 174)
Letters written by Nora while residing at Hunters Hill, Sydney, c.1960-c.1964.
Letters from Nora Heysen to her father, Jill, David and Lyly, 1960s (File 175)
Letters written by Nora while residing at Hunters Hill, Sydney, c.1962-c.1968.
Letters from Nora Heysen to her father, Jill, David and Lyly, 1960s (File 176)
Letters written by Nora while residing at Hunters Hill, Sydney.
Letters from Nora Heysen to her father and Jill, 1960s (File 177)
Letters written by Nora while residing at Hunters Hill, Sydney, c.1962-c.1965.
Letters from Nora Heysen to her father, Jill, David and Lyly, 1960s (File 178)
Letters written by Nora while residing at Hunters Hill, Sydney, c.1962-c.1967.
Letters from Nora Heysen to her father, Jill, David and Lyly, 1960s (File 179)
Letters written by Nora while residing at Hunters Hill, Sydney, c.1962-c.1968.
Letters from David Heysen to his parents, c.1920s-c.1930s (File 180)
Includes letters from childhood and college.
Letters from David Heysen to his parents, c.1926-c.1931 (File 181)
Letters written while attending Scotch College, Mitcham, SA.
Letters from David Heysen to his mother, c.1931-c.1934 (File 182)
Mainly letters written while on a painting trip with his father to the Flinders Ranges, March-April 1932.
Letters from David Heysen to his parents, 1930s (File 183)
Letters written from Benagerie Station, Yunta, SA., c.1933.
Letters from David Heysen to his parents, 1930s (File 184)
Letters written from Panaramitie Station, Yunta, SA., c.1932-1934.
Letters from David Heysen to his parents, 1930s (File 185)
Letters written from Mt Lyndhurst Station, SA., c.1934-1936.
Letters from David Heysen to his parents, 1930s (File 186)
Mainly letters written from Mt Lyndhurst Station, SA., c.1934-c.1936.
Letters from David Heysen to his parents, 1930s (File 187)
Letters written from Mt Lyndhurst Station, SA., c.1934-c.1936.
Letters from David Heysen to his parents, 1930s (File 188)
Letters written from Frome Downs Station, SA., c.1932-c.1936.
Letters from David Heysen to his parents, 1930s (File 189)
Letters written from 'Derrymore', Kalangadoo, SA., c.1936-c.1937.
Letters from David Heysen to his parents, 1930s (File 190)
Letters written from 'Derrymore', Kalangadoo, SA., c.1936-c.1937.
Letters from David Heysen to his parents, 1930s (File 191)
Letters written from 'Derrymore', Kalangadoo, SA., c.1936-c.1937.
Letters from David Heysen to his parents, 1930s (File 192)
Letters written from 'Derrymore', Kalangadoo, SA., c.1937-1938.
Letters from David Heysen to his parents, 1938-1939 (File 193)
Letters written from 'Derrymore', Kalangadoo, SA.
Letters from David Heysen to his parents, 1940 (File 194)
Letters written from 'Derrymore', Kalangadoo, SA.
Letters from David Heysen to his parents, 1941-1942 (File 195)
Letters written from 'Derrymore', Kalangadoo, SA.
Letters from David Heysen to his parents, 1943-1945 (File 196)
Letters written from 'Derrymore', Kalangadoo, SA.
Letters from David Heysen to his parents, 1947-c.1949 (File 197)
Letters written from 'Derrymore', Kalangadoo, SA.
Letters from David Heysen to his parents, c.1950 (File 198)
Letters written from 'Derrymore', Kalangadoo, SA.
Letters from David Heysen to his parents, 1951-1952 (File 199)
Letters written from 'Derrymore', Kalangadoo, SA.
Letters from David Heysen to his parents, 1953-1954 (File 200)
Letters written from 'Derrymore', Kalangadoo, SA.
Letters from David Heysen to his parents, 1955-1958 (File 201)
Letters written from 'Derrymore', Kalangadoo, SA.
Letters from David Heysen to his parents, 1960s (File 202)
Letters written from 'Derrymore', Kalangadoo, SA.
Most are addressed to both his mother and father, therefore, presumably were written c.1960-c.1962 prior to his mother's death.
There is also one letter written to 'Daddy and Jill' which was written from Nora's house in Hunters Hill.
Letters from Lyly (Refshauge) to Sallie Heysen, 1938-1939 (File 203)
Elizabeth (Lyly) Refshauge married David Heysen in September 1938.
Letters from Michael Heysen to his parents, 1926-1934 (File 211)
Letters from early childhood and Scotch College, Mitcham, SA.
Letters from Michael Heysen to his parents, c.1935-c.1938 (File 212)
Letters written while attending Roseworthy Agricultural College, SA.
Letters from Michael Heysen to his parents, c.1935-c.1938 (File 213)
Letters written while attending Roseworthy Agricultural College, SA.
Letters from Michael Heysen to his parents, c.1935-c.1938 (File 214)
Letters written while attending Roseworthy Agricultural College, SA.
Letters from Michael Heysen to his parents, c.1935-c.1938 (File 215)
Letters written while attending Roseworthy Agricultural College, SA.
Letters from Michael Heysen to his parents, c.1939-c.1940 (File 216)
Mainly letters written from Penola, SA.
Letters from Michael Heysen to his parents, c.1940-c.1941 (File 217)
Mainly letters written from Penola, SA.
Letters from Michael Heysen to his parents, c.1941-c.1945 (File 218)
Letters written while serving in the Royal Australian Air Force during the Second World War.
Letters from Michael Heysen to his parents, c.1941-c.1945 (File 219)
Letters written while serving in the Royal Australian Air Force during the Second World War.
Letters from Michael Heysen to his parents, c.1948-1960s (File 220)
Letters written from Penola, SA.
Letters from Stephan Heysen to his parents, c.1937 (File 222)
Letters from Scotch College, Mitcham, SA.
Letters from Stephan Heysen to his parents, c.1929-c.1937 (File 223)
Letters from Scotch College, Mitcham, SA.
Letters from Stephan Heysen to his parents, c.1940-c.1941 (File 224)
Letters written from Canberra while working for the Customs Department.
Letters from Stephan Heysen to his parents, c.1940-c.1941 (File 225)
Letters written from Canberra while working for the Customs Department.
Letters from Stephan Heysen to his parents, c.1940-c.1941 (File 226)
Letters written from Canberra while working for the Customs Department.
Letters from Stephan Heysen to his parents, c.1940-c.1941 (File 227)
Letters written from Canberra while working for the Customs Department.
Letters from Stephan Heysen to his parents, c.1943-c.1945 (File 228)
Letters written while serving in the Royal Australian Air Force during the Second World War.
Letters from Stephan Heysen to his parents, 1940s (File 229)
Includes letters from 'Sunnymeade' and Sydney (where he moved after working in Canberra) and wartime letters.
Letters from Stephan Heysen to his parents, 1952-1962 (File 230)
Includes letters from Victor Harbour and correspondence with various banks relating to debts incurred by Stephan. There are also a few letters from Han Heysen relating to his son's debts.
The file also contains a letter addressed to Hans Heysen from his solicitors itemising work carried out in relation to his wife's estate and other fi1960cial matters.
Letters from Josephine Heysen to her parents, 1917-1920s (File 231)
Includes childhood letters, some postcards and a handmade Christmas card.
Letters from Freya Heysen to her parents, 1917-c.1959 (File 240)
Includes a letter from Freya's husband, Ted, to his parents-in-law.
Letters from Jock Scott (Stefan's wife) to Sallie Heysen, c.1940-c.1943 (File 241)
Mainly letters from the Invergowrie Homecraft Hostel, Hawthorn and 'Sunnymeade', Kalangadoo.
Letters from Jill to her grandparents, 1949-1953 (File 244)
Letters written while attending 'The Wilderness School' Medindie, SA.
Letters from Jill to her grandparents, 1954-1955 (File 245)
Letters written while attending 'The Wilderness School' Medindie, SA.
Letters from Jill to her grandparents, c.1953-1955 (File 246)
Letters written while attending 'The Wilderness School' Medindie, SA.
Letters from Jill to her grandparents and other family members, c.1947-1966 (File 248)
Also includes a small number of letters to Jill from family members.
Letters from their grandchildren to Hans and Sallie, 1930-1965 (File 249)
Includes a small handmade illustrated card from Nora wishing her father a happy birthday (n.d.).
Letters and postcards to their children from Hans and Sallie, 1901-c.1949 (File 251)
Includes a postcard in German dated 1901.
Letters of condolence received by David and Lyly Heysen on the death of Sir Hans Heysen, June-July 1968 (File 253)
Also includes a carbon copy of a letter by David Heysen to an insurance company, 1971.
Miscellaneous letters, invitations and photographs, 1908-1966 (File 254)
Includes letters written by the Heysen children to each other and invitations to various functions.
Also includes some papers relating to the Wongana Circle, 1939, and photographs of Heysen and unidentified person standing amongst gum trees. Caption on reverse of one photograph reads 'in a letter from Brown of the university, 27 February 1913'.
Correspondence and miscellaneous material relating to Sava Botzaris, 1934-1958 (File 254a)
Includes notes (1934); letters by Botzaris to Dr Shirley Jones (1948-1949); photographs of artworks by Botzaris (1958) and a catalogue of an exhibition by Botzaris (1938).
Dr Shirley Jones was an English friend of Hans Heysen.
Miscellaneous letters and documents which were reproduced in Colin Thiele'e biography of Hans Heysen, 1899-1942 (File 254b)
Items are housed in a folder titled 'Heysen of Hahndorf ... documents for reproduction'.
Folder contains some of the material that was reproduced in Thiele's biography Heysen of Hahndorf. Includes letters from Hans Heysen to his mother, (1900 and 1903); the last letter Hans Heysen received from his mother (1942); letter from Baldwin Spencer to H. P. Gill (1908); Gill's summary of sales from the 1915 exhibition and the memorandum of agreement covering Heysen's studies in Europe (1899-1903).
Diaries and notebooks, 1894-1934 (File 254c)
Includes a small address book probably belonging to Hans Heysen; a 1923 diary belonging to Josephine; a 1934 diary belonging to Josephine?; a notebook containing household expenses belonging to Sallie Heysen and a notebook belonging to George Heysen (Han's brother) containing notes and newscuttings on the South African War and newscuttings relating to Hans Heysen (1894-1901).
Personal documents, 1873-1944 (File 255)
Includes a baptism certificate for Selma Bartels (Sallie Heysen), 1878; a will belonging to Adolf Bartels (Sallie's father), 1873; papers relating to Josephine's adoption and an allowance provided for her by the military in the Second World War, (1943-1944); a passport; a flyer for art classes by Heysen in London; a certificate for the award of the Order of the British Empire and other documents in German.
Letters from Rudolph Schneider mainly to Sallie Heysen, 1907-1909 (File 256)
Includes letters relating to the Bartels v Meyer court case.
Letters from Rudolph Schneider mainly to Sallie Heysen, 1910 (File 257)
Includes letters relating to the Bartels v Meyer court case.
Letters from Rudolph Schneider mainly to Sallie Heysen, 1911-1912 (File 258)
Includes letters and documents relating to the Bartels v Meyer court case.
Series 3. Cards and invitations, 1910-1968
This series consists mainly of Christmas cards sent to the Heysen family.
Also included are a small number of postcards, invitations to art shows and exhibitions and a bag of miscellaneous name cards.
Sympathy cards received by the Heysen family on the death of Sir Hans Heysen have been placed at the end of Series 1.
Series 4. Miscellaneous notes and speeches, c.1910s-1960s
This series consists of drafts of miscellaneous letters, articles, notes and speeches by Hans Heysen. Heysen usually composed a draft first for most of his letters and some of them can be found in this series. Most of the drafts and notes are undated and untitled and many are on scraps of paper or cardboard.
Includes biographical notes by Heysen and brief notes on the passing of fellow artists George Lambert and Lionel Lindsay.
Drafts of letters by Hans Heysen, n.d. (File 263)
Most drafts are undated. Also includes an address list for cards and letters.
Comprises Items 1-69.
Drafts of articles and speeches by Hans Heysen, c.1910s-c.1960s (File 264)
Includes draft notes on the passing of George Lambert.
Also includes responses by Heysen to a series of nine questions about his life and his art.
Comprises Items 70-168.
Drafts of articles and speeches by Hans Heysen, c.1920s-c.1950s (File 265)
Includes a paper titled 'Observations on art' and a paper relating to matters within the Board of the Art Gallery of South Australia (1954).
Also includes notes on a scrap of paper referring to the passing of Lionel Lindsay (Item 185).
Comprises Items 169-235.
Miscellaneous notes, c.1920s-1965 (File 266)
Mainly notes and lists of paintings.
Comprises Items 236-282.
Miscellaneous notes, n.d. (File 267)
Includes biographical notes by Hans Heysen and notes by Heysen's biographer, Colin Thiele.
Comprises Items 283-334.
Series 5. Financial papers, 1907-1968
Financial papers consisting mainly of invoices and receipts for household items; clothing; school fees; work undertaken by tradesmen; car repairs; art society subscription fees; paints; picture frames and the framing of artworks. There are receipts for the purchase of artworks by Heysen for his own private collection and receipts for Heysen's works purchased by art dealers and others.
Also includes some legal papers relating to shares and circulars and reports relating to investment companies.
Series 6. National Gallery of South Australia, 1940-1968
The National Gallery of South Australia was established in 1881. In 1940 a National Gallery Board was created as the result of legislation passed by the South Australian Parliament in 1939.
Hans Heysen was one of the first appointees and he remained a Trustee until his death in July, 1968, the only member of the Board who served an unbroken period from its inception. During his life-time Heysen was a generous donor to the Gallery and he also left it a number of artworks in his will. The Gallery underwent a name change in 1967 and is now known as the Art Gallery of South Australia.
This series consists mainly of agenda and minutes for Art Gallery Board meetings from 1940-1968. There are also some miscellaneous annual reports and other papers relating to the work of the Board.
Personal papers belonging to Heysen and relating to a number of arts groups and societies to which he belonged have also been included in this series.
Art Gallery Board meetings, agenda and minutes, April-July 1961 (File 351)
Includes partial balance sheet for April but no agenda and minutes.
Art Gallery Board meetings, agenda and minutes, July-September 1963 (File 360)
Also includes proceedings of the Conference of State Galllery Directors held at the National Gallery of South Australia, September 23-27, 1963.
Art Gallery Board meetings, agenda and minutes, July-September 1964 (File 364)
Also includes proceedings of the Conference of State Galllery Directors held at the Western Australian Art Gallery, September 21-25, 1964.
Correspondence and other papers, 1941-1968 (File 386)
Includes extension plans to the gallery (1968) and the transcript of a courtcase between Bagot's Executor and Trustee Company Limited and the Art Gallery Board.
The file also includes a miscellaneous letter from the Australian Painter-Etchers Society (1922) probably sent to Hans Heysen.
Annual reports, 1942-1963 (File 387)
Mainly reports of the Museum Board of the South Australian Museum.
Also includes annual reports for the Art Gallery Board, 1941-1942 and 1961-1962.
Annual reports, 1940-1945 (File 388)
Mainly reports of the Art Gallery Board, 1940-1967.
Also includes annual reports for the Libraries Board of South Australia, 1943-1945.
Miscellaneous papers, 1920-1965 (File 389)
Includes the constitution and by-laws of the Australian Academy of Art and correspondence and other papers relating to its foundation in 1937.
Also includes papers relating to the Society of Artists; the Royal South Australian Society of Arts and the Australian Painter-Etchers Society.
Series 7. Printed material, 1914-1968
Printed material consisting of catalogues, journals, journal articles, newsletters, pamphlets and ephemera.
The catalogues relate to exhibitions and auctions of artworks by Hans Heysen and others.
The bulk of the journals are issues of the Bulletin of the National Gallery of South Australia from 1939-1971 (incomplete set).
Bulletin of the National Gallery of South Australia, March 1939-October 1950 (File 389a)
Vol 1, No 1-Vol 12, No 2 (Vol 2, No 1, is missing).
Comprises Items 1-40.
Bulletin of the National Gallery of South Australia, January 1951-April 1961 (File 389b)
Vol 12, No 3-Vol 22, No 4 (Vol 17, No 2 and Vol 17, No 4 are missing).
Comprises Items 41-80.
Bulletin of the National Gallery of South Australia, July 1961-April 1971 (File 389c)
Vol 23, No 1-Vol 32, No 4 (6 issues missing).
Comprises Items 81-128.
Catalogues and other printed material, 1922-c.1974 (File 390)
Includes various exhibition catalogues for Heysen's works and a catalogue for the sale of works (1970) which were in Heysen's personal collection at the time of his death.
Also includes a copy of Sir Hans Heysen OBE: Historic Hahndorf by Colin Thiele and Stewart Cockburn (c.1967); promotional flyers for other publications and articles on Heysen.
Catalogues and other printed material, 1913-c.1965 (File 391)
Mainly art exhibition and auction catalogues (other than Heysen).
Catalogues and other printed material, 1914-1964 (File 392)
Mainly art exhibition and auction catalogues (other than Heysen).
Catalogues and other printed material, 1927-1966 (File 393)
Includes flyers relating to art gallery prizes.
Miscellaneous publications, 1923-1967 (File 394)
Includes an article from The Bulletin (1952) on Heysen; a copy of a Scotch College publication (1964) and various issues of The Bulletin: a weekly survey of German affairs (1960-1967).
Series 8. Newscuttings, 1908-1973
This series consists of newscuttings relating to Hans Heysen and his art; the Heysen family and more general cuttings on art exhibitions, artists and other art related subjects.
The cuttings are unsorted and many do not contain dates.
Newscuttings, 1925-1971 (File 403)
Includes articles by Melba titled 'Melodies and Memories '.
Also includes a copy of Adelaider Post, 24 October 1961.
Newscuttings, 1935-1936 (File 404)
Mainly cuttings consisting of the serialisation of My natives and I: the life story of Daisy M. Bates.
Newscuttings, c.1930s-1963 (File 405)
Miscellaneous cuttings mainly relating to art and art exhibitions.
Newscuttings, 1926-c.1960s (File 406)
Miscellaneous cuttings mainly relating to art and art exhibitions.
Newscuttings, 1914-1970 (File 407)
Miscellaneous cuttings mainly relating to art and art exhibitions.
Newscuttings, 1921-1973 (File 408)
Miscellaneous cuttings mainly relating to art and art exhibitions.
Newscuttings, 1909-1969 (File 410)
Miscellaneous cuttings mainly relating to art and art exhibitions.
Newscuttings, 1928-1962 (File 411)
Miscellaneous cuttings mainly relating to art and art exhibitions.
Newscuttings, 1920-1962 (File 412)
Miscellaneous cuttings mainly relating to art and art exhibitions.
Newscuttings, 1935-1961 (File 413)
Miscellaneous cuttings mainly relating to art and art exhibitions.
Newscuttings, 1938-1970 (File 414)
Miscellaneous cuttings mainly relating to art and art exhibitions.
Newscuttings, 1934-1964 (File 415)
Miscellaneous cuttings mainly relating to art and art exhibitions.
Newscuttings, 1927-1971 (File 416)
Miscellaneous cuttings mainly relating to art and art exhibitions.
Newscuttings, 1932-1970 (File 417)
Miscellaneous cuttings mainly relating to art and art exhibitions.
Newscuttings, 1924-1965 (File 418)
Miscellaneous cuttings mainly relating to art and art exhibitions.
Newscuttings, 1916-1965 (File 419)
Miscellaneous cuttings mainly relating to art and art exhibitions.
Newscuttings, 1908-1964 (File 420)
Miscellaneous cuttings mainly relating to art and art exhibitions.
Series 9. Photographs, c.1880s-c.1950s
This series consists of a small collection of photographs, postcards and miscellaneous folio items. Most of the photographs are of family or friends and are unidentified and undated. Family photographs include a studio portrait of Adolf Bartels, Sallie Heysen's father (c.1890s); Hans and Sallie Heysen with Josephine and Freya (1908); the Heysen children (c.1920s); Josephine Heysen on a horse (c.1930s); Hans, Sallie and Nora Heysen in Llandudno, Wales (c.1934); a portrait of Hans Heysen (n.d.) and David Heysen with his small son Peter at 'Derrymore'.
Photographs of friends include Lionel Lindsay, n.d. and Arthur Streeton, 1937. There is also a 1948 Christmas card from Harold Cazneaux containing an image of Surrey Hills taken in 1906 and a 1961 Christmas letter from Will Ashton, with an accompanying photograph.
Miscellaneous folio items include a portrait of James Bateman (1935); photographs of artworks by Bateman; a letter to Hans Heysen from W. Blamire Young written on a piece of cardboard and a draft of a speech by Hans Heysen, also written on a piece of cardboard.
Comprises 1 folder.
Series 10. Other papers, 1939-c.2003
This small series of material was donated to the Library in 2003 from the Curator at 'The Cedars', Hahndorf. It consists mainly of promotional material relating to the Heysen family home which has been maintained by the Heysen family and is now open to the public. Included are postcards of some of Hans Heysen's artworks and cards containing seeds from the gum trees growing at 'The Cedars'. The proceeds from the seed cards go to 'Trees Please', a not for profit Landcare Group working at 'The Cedars'.
Also included is a copy of Sir Hans Heysen OBE: Historic Hahndorf by Colin Thiele and Stewart Cockburn (c.1967) and a photocopy of an article by Hans Heysen titled 'A plea for our remaining roadside gums' from the Balhannah centenary 1839-1939 : historical record and review (1939).
Comprises 1 folder.
Container List
Series | Files | Items | Box |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 1-8 | 1-682 | 1 |
1 | 9-16 | 683-1407 | 2 |
1 | 17-24 | 1408-1980 | 3 |
1 | 25-32 | 1981-2252 | 4 |
1 | 33-41 | 2253-4259 | 5 |
1 | 42-50 | 4260-4861 | 6 |
1 | 51-58 | 4862-5585 | 7 |
1 | 59-67 | 5586-6097 | 8 |
1 | 68-76 | 6098-6725 | 9 |
1 | 77-85 | 6726-7408 | 10 |
1 | 86-93 | 7409-8182 | 11 |
1 | 94-102 | 8183-8927 | 12 |
1 | 103-111 | 8928-9607 | 13 |
2 | 112-118 | 1-596 | 14 |
2 | 119-122a | 15 | |
2 | 123-130 | 16 | |
2 | 131-139 | 17 | |
2 | 140-147 | 18 | |
2 | 148-156 | 19 | |
2 | 157-164 | 20 | |
2 | 165-172 | 21 | |
2 | 173-179 | 22 | |
2 | 180-187 | 23 | |
2 | 188-194 | 24 | |
2 | 195-202 | 25 | |
2 | 203-210 | 26 | |
2 | 211-220 | 27 | |
2 | 221-230 | 28 | |
2 | 231-238 | 29 | |
2 | 239-247 | 30 | |
2 | 248-254c | 31 | |
2 | 255-262 | 32 | |
3 | 1-400 | 33 | |
3 | 401-750 | 34 | |
3 | 751-1013 | 35 | |
4 | 263-268a | 36 | |
5 | 269-277 | 37 | |
5 | 278-286 | 38 | |
5 | 287-295 | 39 | |
5 | 296-302 | 40 | |
6 | 303-311 | 41 | |
6 | 312-319 | 42 | |
6 | 320-327 | 43 | |
6 | 328-335 | 44 | |
6 | 336-344 | 45 | |
6 | 345-353 | 46 | |
6 | 354-362 | 47 | |
6 | 363-371 | 48 | |
6 | 372-381 | 49 | |
6 | 382-389 | 50 | |
7 | 389a-390 | 51 | |
7 | 391-398 | 52 | |
8 | 399-406 | 53 | |
8 | 407-415 | 54 | |
8 | 416-421a | 55 | |
9 | 422 | 55 | |
10 | 423 | 55 |