Sunlit Patch…A Mid 20th Century Landscape by Australian Impressionist artist Allan Adolf Peter Hansen (1911-2000).
Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, Hansen emigrated to Australia with his family in 1921 at the age of 10 years…seeking a better life and ‘new horizons’.
The family settled in Sydney, where as a young adult Hansen worked as a painter and decorator taking commissions from churches, schools, and painting murals for theatre’s, before studying Art at East Sydney Technical College.
A successful practising artist and teacher, he taught under Harry Henke at the Royal Art Society’s School, going on to become its Director upon Henke’s retirement in 1966. As well as Director of the Royal Arts Society, he was a regular exhibiting artist. His dedication to the institution was recognised with being awarded, Honorary Life Vice President of the Society. Hansen was also a founding judge panellist for the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize along with fellow judges William Dargie, Fred Bates, Margaret Woodward and Harry Henke.
Hansen was an impressionist style painter of still life and landscapes, regularly going on field trips around Sydney with his fellow society members and students. He painted plein air landscapes, travelling with his brushes, paints and boards in a custom artists box. His preferred painting surface was marine ply board, in either nine by five inches or 12 by 9 inches (as our landscape is painted upon). He preferred marine ply for its light weight, durability, and ease of transport for his plein air expeditions.
The painting would be sketched up and started plein air, and easily slipped back into the box to be taken back to the studio for completion.
Allan Hansen’s work is represented at the Art Gallery NSW, University of NSW, National Collection Canberra and many private collections.
There is a wonderful live recorded interview and transcript of Hansen talking about his life and work, held at the National Library Australia, which is available to the public.
Oil on marine ply, signed lower left Allan Hansen. Titled verso ‘Sunlit Patch’ with Hansen’s home address in Chatswood Sydney.
The painting sits in its attractive period mid 20th century wooden frame, with carved tapered edging and subtle gilt highlights.
Frame Measures: 32cm high, 40cm wide, 3cm deep.
Marine Ply: 9 by 12 inches (30.48cm x 22.86cm).
In great original condition and ready to hang.
