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Judy Cassab (1920-2015): A Life Painted with Grace and Humanity Judy Cassab, born Judit Kaszab in 1920 in Vienna, Austria, and later becoming a celebrated Australian artist, lived a life as rich and complex as the portraits for which she became renowned. Her artistic journey, spanning over seven decades, was marked by resilience, an innate talent for capturing the human spirit, and an enduring legacy as one of Australia's most significant portrait painters. Art Nomad is proud to offer a selection of works by this extraordinary artist, whose contributions to Australian art remain profound.
Cassab's early life was shaped by the tumultuous events of 20th-century Europe. Born to Hungarian-Jewish parents, she began her artistic training at the Prague Academy of Fine Arts in 1938. The outbreak of World War II, however, forced her to flee, and she spent much of the war years in Budapest, enduring hardship and persecution. It was during this period that she met and married János Kämpfner in 1941, later John Cassab, with whom she would share a lifelong partnership and raise two sons. Her experiences of displacement and survival undoubtedly instilled in her a deep empathy that would later resonate so strongly in her portraits.
After the war, in 1951, Cassab and her family immigrated to Australia, settling in Sydney. She quickly embraced her new home, and the vibrant Australian light and landscape began to influence her palette. Despite the challenges of establishing herself in a new country, Cassab’s artistic drive never faltered. She quickly gained recognition for her keen ability to capture not just the likeness, but the very essence of her subjects. Her early Australian works often depicted the everyday lives of ordinary people, but it was her burgeoning talent for portraiture that truly set her apart.
Judy Cassab's career as a portraitist flourished. She possessed a unique gift for establishing a rapport with her sitters, allowing her to delve beyond superficial appearances and convey their inner lives. Her technique, while grounded in traditional portraiture, was always fresh and evolving, characterized by a masterful use of colour and a dynamic brushwork that brought her subjects to life. Her portraits are not merely static representations but rather intimate encounters, revealing a shared moment between artist and sitter.
Over her illustrious career, Cassab painted an extraordinary array of notable figures, including royalty, prime ministers, artists, and prominent members of Australian society. Among her most celebrated sitters were Princess Alexandra, Sir Robert Menzies, Gough Whitlam, and Dame Joan Sutherland. Her ability to navigate the complexities of official portraiture while maintaining her distinctive artistic voice earned her widespread acclaim and numerous accolades.
Cassab was the recipient of many prestigious awards, a testament to her artistic excellence and enduring contribution to Australian art. Notably, she was the first woman to win the Archibald Prize, Australia’s most prestigious portraiture award, twice – in 1960 for her portrait of Stan Rapotec and again in 1967 for her portrait of Margo Lewers. She was also awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1969 and made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1988, recognising her significant services to the visual arts.
Beyond her formal portraits, Cassab also produced a substantial body of work encompassing landscapes, still lifes, and figure studies, often demonstrating a more personal and experimental side of her artistic practice. These works reveal her continuous exploration of colour, form, and light, showcasing her versatility and an ongoing artistic curiosity.
Judy Cassab continued to paint with passion and dedication well into her later years, her work consistently demonstrating a profound humanity and an unwavering commitment to her craft. She passed away in 2015 at the age of 95, leaving behind an indelible mark on Australian art. Her portraits remain not only remarkable artistic achievements but also invaluable historical documents, offering a unique insight into the lives and personalities of some of the most influential figures of her time.
At Art Nomad, we believe that owning a piece by Judy Cassab is to own a piece of Australian art history. Her legacy as a compassionate observer of humanity and a masterful painter continues to inspire, making her works highly sought after by collectors and art enthusiasts alike.
Judy Cassab's art is widely represented in major public collections in Australia and internationally. Notable public institutions holding her works include:
Her works are also present in over 60 public collections worldwide In addition to public collections, Judy Cassab’s works are held in numerous prominent private and corporate collections. While specific private collectors are not typically listed for privacy reasons, it is documented that her art resides in many notable private and corporate holdings, both in Australia and internationally.
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