Hans Heysen, The Cedars Historic Home

While you’re visiting all the other wonderful attractions in and around Hahndorf this is definately one worth making an effort to get to. Hans Heysen is Australia’s preeminent landscape artist of the early 20^th century and we are fortunate that he lived right here in South Australia.
I personally love visiting the homes and studios of well known artists and this is no exception. The picturesque landscape, beautiful old buildings and manicured gardens are reason enough, but I would definately reccommend that you jump on one of the guided home and studio tours which run every day except monday and cost around $ 5. The times are seasonal —
September to May: at 11am, 1pm and 3pm
June to August: at 11am and 2pm
I found particular value in hearing all the stories of Heysen’s famous friends who visited The Cedars and the lifestyle and personal histories of the family who maintain ownership and occasional use of the property today. You can gain access also to Nora Heysen’s studio (Hans’ daughter and archibald prize winner) where many of her works remain exhibited.
The Gardens are also a part of the open gardens scheme for any interested green thumbs.

A Short drive from the city, amidst the majestic gums and rolling hills he loved to paint, the Cedars was the home and studio of South Australia’s most preeminent impressionist landscape painter Sir Hans Heysen.
No one painted the unique colour and textures of the South Australian landscape like Heysen, and thanks to his and his family’s concerted conservation efforts the pristine beauty of the region has been maintained.
The Cedar’s itself has now been converted to a museum and gallery, commemorating the life and works of Sir Hans and his daughter Nora, who also became a widely recognized painter. There is a gallery proper, as well as various locals throughout the several buildings situated on the property in which one can inspect examples of work by both Nora and Hans.
The stone cottage which Hans Heysen used as his studio is generally open to the public, and numerous relics of his working methods have been preserved and may be observed in the cabinets strewn around the cluttered room. There are also a number of unfinished paintings by Heysen shown in the studio, which are an invaluable reference material for the young or beginner painter wanting to learn something a great masters method and approach to creating a picture.
There are tours of the property available, but I prefer to wander around at my own pace, and on occasion, set up an easel and paint the same trees which fascinated Heysen so many years ago.
Of particular interest are the many sites which have been marked where Heysen set up his easel and painted pictures which have now become iconic. Beneath the covered metal pulpits are weathered reproductions of the works and it is interesting to note the liberties and inventions taken by Heysen, how he drew upon the landscape for inspiration and how this inspired his creativity.
Whilst at present the Cedar’s is most frequently patronized retirees, I would like to encourage the younger generation, especially those interested in the arts, to take the time to visit the Cedars and to take in something of our communal history. A visit to the cedars and an inspection of Heysen’s work gives one a perspective and insight into our natural environment in a new and beautiful way and helps one to appreciate the inherent colours and light vibrating in our immediate surrounds. And with only a five dollar entry fee it is well within anyone’s budget.