Hans Heysen

Hans Heysen was born in Hamburg, Germany, in 1877 and moved to Adelaide with his family in 1884. From a young age, he was drawn to art, buying his first paint set at 14 and later taking lessons with James Ashton. His talent quickly gained recognition, and with the support of benefactor Robert Barr Smith, he studied at the Gallery’s School of Design.

In 1899, four prominent Adelaide supporters raised £400 to send Heysen to Europe. He immersed himself in the lively Paris art scene, training at Académie Julian and Colarossi’s Academy, and was even invited to study at the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts. After traveling through Italy, he returned to Adelaide in 1903, setting up his studio in the Adelaide Steamship Building, where he painted and taught art.

During this time, he met Selma (Sally) Bartels, a student who soon became both his muse and his wife. In 1908, the couple moved to a cottage on Billygoat Lane in Hahndorf, drawn to the beauty of the Adelaide Hills—landscapes that would inspire Heysen’s most famous works.

In 1912, with children Josephine, Freya, Lilian and baby Nora, Hans and Sally settled into The Cedars, a colonial-style villa surrounded by gardens and 35 acres of land. As their family grew, with children David, Deirdre, Michael, and Stefan born between 1913 and 1919, they expanded the home to accommodate their bustling household. The Cedars would become not only their family home but also the heart of Heysen’s artistic legacy.

Hans Heysen dedicated his life to capturing the beauty of the Australian landscape, particularly the towering gums and rolling hills of the Adelaide Hills, and the stunning landscape of the Flinders Ranges. As his reputation grew, he became one of Australia’s most celebrated artists, earning multiple Wynne Prizes for his breathtaking depictions of the natural world.

Even as he gained national recognition, Heysen remained deeply connected to The Cedars, where he painted, farmed, and lived a quiet yet creatively rich life with his family. His passion for conservation was evident in both his work and his efforts to protect the old-growth trees he so admired.

Hans continued painting well into his later years, receiving a knighthood in 1959 for his contribution to Australian art. He passed away in 1968 at the age of 90, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy—one that lives on through The Cedars, his art, and the generations of artists he continues to inspire.