Paul Haefliger (1914-1982), painter and art critic, trained in Sydney and then in London with Bernard Meninsky and Mark Gertler. He returned to Sydney with his wife, the painter Jean Bellette, in 1939. Two years later he was appointed art critic for the Sydney Morning Herald, in which capacity he promoted modernist ideas flowing into Sydney through artists such as William Dobell, Russell Drysdale and Donald Friend. Haefliger was the chief witness for the defence when Dobell was taken to court in 1944 for his Archibald-winning depiction of Joshua Smith. In 1957, frustrated by his lack of opportunity to paint, he retired from art criticism and went to live in Spain. Later he lived in France and Switzerland before returning to Australia, where his works are now held in major public collections.
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2003
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program
© Judy Cassab/Copyright Agency, 2021
Judy Cassab AO CBE (3 portraits)
On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves: who we read, who we watch, who we listen to, who we cheer for, who we aspire to be, and who we'll never forget. The Companion is available to buy online and in the Portrait Gallery Store.
Aimee Board traces Judy Cassab’s path to the Australian outback, arriving at the junction of inspiration and abstraction.
The oil portrait of Sir Frank Packer KBE by Judy Cassab was gifted to the National Portrait Gallery in 2006.
