B. 1911-2003

Born in Hahndorf, South Australia, in 1911, Nora Heysen was the fourth child of renowned landscape artist Hans Heysen and his wife, Selma. From an early age, Nora was immersed in the world of art, receiving her first lessons from her father. She later studied at the School of Fine Arts in Adelaide, where she honed her academic training and developed her passion for still life and portraiture.

Heysen quickly garnered attention for her skill and, by the age of twenty, her works were already being acquired by major state galleries. In 1938, she made history as the first woman to win the prestigious Archibald Prize for portraiture. Her victory sparked controversy, facing criticism from male artists, yet she persevered, gaining recognition for her ability to capture the essence of her subjects.

During World War II, Heysen became the first woman appointed as an official war artist. She traveled to New Guinea to document the experiences of Australian nurses and the local people. Despite challenges posed by the war and her limited access to the front lines, she produced powerful works that reflected both the somber and lighter sides of the conflict.

Heysen continued to exhibit throughout her life, with retrospectives in the 1980s and 2000s. Though her name faded from the public eye in later years, feminist art historians have since rediscovered her contributions, acknowledging her as a pioneering female artist. 

Heysen's works are held in national collections, cementing her legacy as one of Australia's significant artists.

To read a more in-depth biography of the artist, click here.