Robert Hofmann drawings, paintings and other material, approximately 1940-1956

fonds

approximately 1940-1956

Graphic Materials, Drawings, Paintings, Photographs, Objects, Textual Records

9658135

Robert Hofmann (1889-1987) was one of nine children born to a Viennese Jewish family. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts, and in 1922 he won the prestigious Prix de Rome. By the 1930s he had built a successful career as an artist.

Following the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in March 1938, Hofmann escaped to Britain as a refugee in 1939. In London he was employed painting portraits at Harrods. When war was declared in September 1939, the British Government began deporting foreigners as enemy aliens. Hofmann was deported to Australia on board HMT Dunera in 1940. In Australia he was interned at Hay, Orange ad Tatura camps.

Following his release in November 1943, he settled in Melbourne and was naturalised in 1946. In 1956 he moved to the United States and settled in Syracuse, New York where he established himself as an artist and art teacher. Hofmann died in 1987.
References:
Carol Bunyan, Researcher
'The tales of Hofmann: a life across three continents', Stories from the Dunera and Queen Mary'. Monash University. Accessed 19 September 2022. https://www.dunerastories.monash.edu/

Passed by Robert Hofmann to Mark Topp and James Skvarch before Hofmann's death in 1987 and held by them since then.

Primarily drawings and paintings created by Robert Hofmann in London; on board the 'Dunera'; in Hay, Orange and Tutura internment camps; and in Melbourne, after he was released from internment. Also included are objects, photographic copies of his artworks, and Australian exhibition catalogues.

File 01: Dunera sketchbook, 1940, by Robert Hofmann
File 02: Dunera portraits, 1940, by Robert Hofmann
File 03: Portraits from Hay, Orange and Tatura internment camps, 1940-1943, by Robert Hofmann
File 04: Landscapes of New South Wales, internment camp at Hay / Robert Hofmann
File 06: Drawings of figures from internment camps, approximately 1941-1943, by Robert Hofmann
File 07: Camp landscapes at Hay, Tatura and Orange, NSW, 1940-1943, by Robert Hofmann
File 08: Post-camp portraits, Melbourne, Victoria, 1943-1956, by Robert Hofmann
File 09: Australian pastel drawings, between 1941 and 1956, by Robert Hofmann
File 10: Melbourne and Sydney sketchbook, 1956, by Robert Hofmann
File 11: Various drawings and sketches, approximately 1940-1956, chiefly by Robert Hofmann
File 12: Paintings including self-portrait and Tatura camp, between 1940 and 1956, by Robert Hofmann
File 13: Photographic copies of artworks made predominantly between 1940 and 1956, by Robert Hofmann
File 14: Robert Hofmann realia, between 1940 and 1956
File 15: Robert Hofmann Australian catalogues and notes, 1943-1956

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Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales and Courtesy copyright holder