October 8, 1877

Hans Heysen was born in Germany (October 8, 1877 to July 2, 1968) but achieved fame as an Australian landscape artist subsequent to his family's emigration to that British colony in 1884. His was a well deserved fame, and Heysen's reputation now, on the global stage, needs an upward adjustment. He won in 1945 a British OBE for his efforts at building a world class institution, the Hobart National Gallery. According to one critic, "Heysen painted the majesty of Australia. ... in oil paintings such as 'Mystic Morn,' 1904, 'Red Gold,' 1913, and 'Droving into the Light,' 1914–21." Our interest was caught by a 1925 canvas, titled "Spring," featuring the frothy fruit tree blooms one associates with that season. In the branches are two gray and white cats inhaling..

This charming scene is shared here.