The Cedars

'The Cedars', approximately 8 ks out of Hahndorf, was the family home of the late, great artist, Sir Hans Heysen. On ‘The Artist’s Walk’, one can roam the outdoors of the property enjoying the solace and peacefulness of the place which has such a positive vibe.

In much need of maintenance now, the homestead, surrounded by gardens and trees is too big to get into one photo. Volunteers, who are a scarce commodity, are required for the upkeep of the property.

The Cedars Homestead

Home to the Sir Hans Heysen family.

Paths meander throughout the homestead garden.

One of the ornate back gates of the homestead.

The vehicle and trailer Heysen used to transport paintings to exhibitions are in perfect condition and parked in a shed out back of the house.

Through one of the back gates of the homestead is a building where Nora Heysen, Han's youngest daughter, made her studio. The building now consists of the kiosk where you buy entry tickets, books, paintings and prints plus two rooms dedicated to Nora's history and some of her work. She was one of only two female World War 2 illustrators and much of the display in the first room is dedicated to her sketches. The second room was her studio.

Sir Hans Heysen's Studio stands among huge pine trees on the side of a hill approx 500 metres behind the main house.

Sir Hans Heysen’s studio.

The studio stands in a picturesque setting
Beneath giant pine trees.

Off to the left of the track is the Old Cow Shed
which kept the family in fresh milk.

Heysen loved the trees on his property and painted them often, whether they be gums or pines. Wandering along, I glanced across the paddock to where the old orchard stands. As I take it in, my eyes are drawn to a magnificent gum tree standing alone on a rise beyond the orchard. Looking at it in awe, I am put in mind of the famous Cazneaux tree in the Flinders Ranges National Park.
This gum tree is depicted for posterity in Heysen’s painting, ‘The Lone Gum’.

The family was supplied with fruit from the orchard in the foreground.
Note the gum tree in the background.


The Lone Gum stands on a rise behind
the orchard.

Off to the right, a path meanders across the paddock, through an old gate to a pool surrounded by paper bark gums. A delightful scene which inspired his painting, ‘The Shady Pool’...it was one of his favourite places to sit. Though it is now over-grown a fair bit with added saplings etc and there isn't much water in the pool, you can still see the gist of his painting.

It was fun seeking out the original trees that were in place at the time of the paintings, they are still quite prominent; you just need to look beyond the foreground growth.

The Shady Pool guarded by paper barks,
inspired many a painting.

The information bay is exactly where Hans Heysen sat.

The shady pool was a favourite spot of Heysen’s.

Heysen was awe struck equally by gum and pine trees alike
loving them all.

As one roams the property, the occasional vista draws the eye.

Mt Lofty ranges beyond the Heysen Hills.

Standing exactly on many of the spots Hans Heysen stood/sat to paint some of his famous paintings brings a tear to the eye and goose-bumps arise on the arms, To be walking among the very same giant gum and pine trees that Heysen so loved is surreal. A return visit for a guided tour of the indoor areas is definitely on my list of things to do.

YOU HAVE A NICE DAY NOW....

nannabee.